PITTSBURGH — “Everything was boomin’ today,” Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown said Sunday in regard to the team’s first day of practice with pads at St. Vincent College.
However, the focus of questions posed to Brown Sunday afternoon wasn’t just his play on the field, it was his contract situation off the field.%
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Brown has two years left on his contract, which has been previously restructured. He’s scheduled to make $6.25 million this season in base salary and $8.71 million next season. Brown reportedly expressed hope to get a new contract extension before the upcoming season begins.
Brown has a case for a new contract. His production has him in the conversation among not just the best wide receivers in the NFL, but also the best players in the NFL. Last season alone, Brown caught 136 passes for 1,834 yards and 10 touchdowns, and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger missed four of those games.
Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert said in a Steelers Nation Radio interview that the team will not renegotiate contracts with players who have more than one year left on their contract, but Brown made is sound like talks are happening.
“It's up to my agent. I'm confident in the Rooney family and the Pittsburgh Steelers to get something done, and right now, I'm just focusing on the season, working on my game and continue to get better,” Brown said.
As far as whether he should get a new deal early, Brown had some words of advice.
“You got to take care of your guys. If a guy under-performs, get rid of him. If a guy over-performs, take care of him. That's the kind of business we're in,” he said.
Nevertheless, Brown said he has no plans to hold out for a new contract.
“The Rooney family has been first class with me since I was 21 or 22 years old. I never held out. I'm a first-class guy in a relationship. I'm always going to show up and do my part and be ready,” he said.
Besides, Brown seems to love training camp.
“I love camp. You have a chance to interact with the fans. It's the beginning of the journey that gets you ready for the season. It's great coming out here to see all the fans,” Brown said.
Fans will have another chance to see Brown during Monday’s 2:55 p.m. practice at St. Vincent College.