Coming off his first All-Pro season, Antonio Brown is easily one of the top receivers in the entire NFL.
The Steelers wideout now wants to be compensated as such.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported that Brown won't report to voluntary conditioning, because he wants a new contract, per a source informed of his plans.
Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports first reported the news, adding that Brown is also considering sitting out minicamp and training camp in a desire to get a new deal.
Brown signed a six-year, $43 million contract in 2012. Since that time, he's been one of the top wideouts in the NFL. The 26-year-old has caught at least five passes for a minimum of 50 yards in every single game since the 2012 finale. Since signing his deal, Brown has earned 239 catches for 3,197 yards and 21 touchdown receptions.
The 5-foot-10 Brown isn't the prototypical size of a dominant receiver, but his route-running and line release allow him to get open against a myriad of coverages. He's become essential to the Steelers' offensive success and is Ben Roethlisberger's security blanket.
Now Brown wants to get paid for his importance.
His current contract places him eighth overall in terms of total value at the position, but his per-year average ranks just 14th, behind the likes of Vincent Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and Pierre Garcon, per OverTheCap.com -- receivers who Brown has outplayed by leaps and bounds.
NFL teams don't pay players for past accomplishments, but rather their usefulness down the road. While the Steelers' organization isn't one to bend their will, Brown is one of the few non-quarterbacks essential to making an offense tick -- especially with Steelers running back Le'veon Bell staring at a three-game suspension.
How long it takes this situation to unfold will be something to keep an eye on as we inch toward portions of the schedule that become important and mandatory.
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