The Pittsburgh Steelers expect a trade for superstar wide receiver Antonio Brown to be agreed by Friday, with the Oakland Raiders, Washington Redskins and Tennessee Titans the leading contenders so far.
The perennial Pro Bowler is on the trading block after a huge fallout with both quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and team ownership, and the Steelers are now trying to line up the best deal possible for the 30-year-old.
Pittsburgh want a first round draft pick in return for the man who has an NFL-record six consecutive 100-catch seasons, and is largely viewed as the best receiver currently in the league.
Although a coupe of other teams have voiced an interest, multiple reports in America state that Oakland, Tennessee or Washington are the most likely landing spots for Brown.
No deal can be ratified until the new league year starts on March 13, but Pittsburgh are wanting to get all the details ironed out by Friday, which will include the compensation and Brown's new team agreeing on a restructured contract with the wideout.
Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert insisted the team hasn't ruled out any trading partners, but they understandably want to trade him to a team unlikely to hinder their play-off push next season.
"Ideally, you want to trade him to somebody that you'll never play," Colbert said. "But you can't do that. If you're good enough to get to the Super Bowl, you have to play him anyway."
The Raiders are the leading candidates for Brown though for a number of reasons - they have the biggest salary cap space among the interested parties so can offer Brown the guaranteed money he'll be after.
In quarterback Derek Carr they have the best triggerman, at least of the three front-runners, and Brown has previously spoken of his admiration of the Raiders man.
Throw in having John Gruden as coach and an immanent move to Las Vegas and there should be plenty of appeal on both sides for the move to Oakland.
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