San Francisco 49ers: Antonio Brown continues campaign for trade on IG
The San Francisco 49ers seem to be Antonio Brown’s preferred landing spot. He posted an edited photo of himself in a Niners uniform alongside Jerry Rice.
The San Francisco 49ers have won just 10 combined games in the last two seasons. They haven’t made the playoffs since the 2013 season yet they have enough pieces to excite one of the NFL’s top wide receivers in Antonio Brown.
Brown is still under contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but it seems that their relationship is broken for good. Brown wants out and the organization has made it clear that the superstar wide receiver doesn’t have a future with the team.
There are plenty of franchises interested in acquiring Brown. As an elite talent, he can be the final piece that puts a team over the top, whether that means reaching the playoffs or making a run at a Lombardi trophy. Brown, however, seems to have made up his mind on where his preferred landing spot is.
Brown has been essentially flirting with the 49ers despite being married to the Steelers. He’s been exchanging tweets with San Francisco players and liking pictures on Instagram. Brown took it to a whole new level with his latest Instagram post, which you can see down below.
49ers legend Jerry Rice has been in communication with Brown. Rice told 95.7 The Game that Brown wants to join San Francisco “really badly.” The Hall of Famer seems to have a solid relationship with the veteran star, possessing an understanding of what he’s thinking while making the 49ers an even more desirable destination.
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49ers fans have to be excited to see Brown’s Instagram post. An image of No. 84 with Rice, edited so that Brown is actually in a Niners jersey. Objectively speaking–with no fan bias at all–Brown looks preeetty good in Red and Gold.
Despite seemingly mutual interest, Brown can’t control where he ends up. Pittsburgh is losing leverage and his open campaigning for a trade to San Francisco might dissuade other suitors, but the Steelers are going to take the best offer they can get.
According to NFL.com’s Ian Rappaport, it’s going to take at least a second-round pick to acquire Brown. While he’s certainly an elite talent, Brown will be 31 when the 2019 season starts. General Manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have to decide whether an aging Brown is worth giving up picks or young talent.
Brown played 15 games last season. He had 104 receptions, eclipsing the triple-digit mark for the sixth consecutive season. He had 1,297 yards, averaging 86.5 yards per game, and found the end zone 15 times — more than George Kittle (5), Dante Pettis (5), and Marquise Goodwin (4) combined.
Next. Big-name free agents 49ers must avoid. dark
It may be a while until the 49ers make an official offer, and it will be even longer for the entire situation to be resolved. Stay tuned for more.