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Coming into the 2014 NFL season, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown was coming off a breakout Pro Bowl season.
His 1,499 receiving yards was a single-season franchise record. For anyone who believed he was a one-year wonder, Brown’s 2014 season was, without a doubt, the greatest single season by a Steelers wide out. Brown rewrote the Steelers’ record book, setting new marks in receptions, targets, receiving yards, touchdown passes, yards per game, receptions per game and yards per receptions. The season concluded with a first-team All-Pro selection and his second straight Pro Bowl (third total). He managed to do this despite being just the 12th highest-paid wide receiver.
During this offseason, Brown made no secrets that he is unhappy with his current contract. He signed a five-year, $42.5 million deal prior to the 2013 season with an $8.5 million signing bonus. Pittsburgh already gave quarterback Ben Roethlisberger a five-year extension worth $108 million this offseason.
It is doubtful that Pittsburgh will give Brown a big money deal — well, until after this season. Brown has already made it clear that he wouldn’t holdout and he will report to camp. Still, the Steelers need to get on top of this before they have a Dez Bryant situation on their hands next year.
With Brown as the No. 1 receiver, Pittsburgh’s passing game will be even stronger than last year’s record numbers. Second-year wide receiver Martavis Bryant is looking to become the No. 2 receiver and more than just a deep threat. Markus Wheaton is expected to become the slot receiver on Pittsburgh’s roster. Tight end Heath Miller is still one of the more underrated players at the position in the game, and Ben’s third-down target. Add pass-catching running back Le’Veon Bell to that arsenal, and you have one of the deepest receiving corps in the National Football League.
With his combination of speed and elusiveness, Brown is arguably the most dangerous player in the open field. He likely won’t match last season’s outstanding performance, but he can put the fear of God into opposing defenses.
Daniel Johnson is a Beat Writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter. “Like” him on Facebook. Add him to your network on Google.
