INDIANAPOLIS — The interest from teams in trading for star wide receiver Antonio Brown has grown around the league, Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert told reporters.
Cobert said his team is shopping Brown, who has publicly demanded a trade after a falling out with the organization. Last week, Colbert said three teams had inquired about Brown, but added Wednesday that more have reached out since then.
He categorized the discussions with the interested teams as “very, very preliminary.”
“We will only make a trade if it benefits the Pittsburgh Steelers,” Colbert said at the NFL scouting combine. “He knows that. His representation knows that. That’s been clearly explained, and we’re willing to take a look. If there’s something that can be done to benefit both sides, great. If not, then we’ll deal with that when we get to it.”
Colbert said the Steelers would need “significant compensation” to trade Brown. If they don’t receive such an offer, he added he believes the relationship can be repaired. “Things always change,” he said.
The Steelers also won’t rule out a scenario in which they trade him within the AFC North.
“The less you would play him, the better,” Colbert said. “But if a team comes through with the best compensation, we have to balance that out. ’OK, we’re going to play him twice a year, but we’re going to get the best compensation.’ … You have to weigh that all into the discussions.
“We haven’t eliminated anybody.”
Brown had 104 catches for 1,297 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2018.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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