Odds Warming Up to Steelers Trading Antonio Brown

• Antonio Brown’s latest outburst leads to trade speculation
• Steelers frustrated after getting shredded by Chiefs
• Would Steelers actually trade prized wide receiver?

Is it conceivable that Pittsburgh’s vaunted Killer B’s be completely dissolved by the time next year rolls around?

We know that Le’Veon Bell is already on the outs. Now in year 15, we know that Ben Roethlisberger is taking things season to season.

But after Sunday’s thrashing at home to the Chiefs, a mercurial situation involving star receiver Antonio Brown set the tone for sportsbooks to delve into the possibility of a Brown and Steelers separation.

Before we unwrap this, check out the odds.

Will Antonio Brown be traded before Nov. 14 deadline?

Odds have changed since they first became available.

It started late in the fourth quarter when Roethlisberger scrambled to the end zone to cut into the Chiefs lead. Pittsburgh was playing catch up all game as Kansas City and Patrick Mahomes were virtually unstoppable.

Something wasn’t sitting right with Brown.

Something going on with Antonio Brown. Walked off by himself, head down, while rest of team celebrated Ben Roethlisberger score. Appeared to get into it with Randy Fichtner earlier.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) September 16, 2018

This is the media age: of course there was video capturing Brown’s displeasure.

Antonio Brown in Fichtner’s face. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/dIIMZvL51s

— BlitzburghVideos (@BlitzVideos) September 16, 2018

Things got taken up another notch, when a fellow by the name of Ryan Scarpino, whose Twitter bio says he worked PR for the Steelers from 2010-2017, tweeted his displeasure at Brown’s sideline antics.

AB needs to thank his lucky stars, because he was drafted by a team that had Ben. And Ben got AB paid. You know darn well he wouldn’t put up those numbers for other teams.

— scarps (@scarpizio) September 16, 2018

Brown, already in hot water for threatening a reporter on Twitter, decided he’d had enough, and fired back. It’s now the tweet that has everybody wondering if everything is all right in Pittsburgh.

Trade me let’s find out https://t.co/4OeepI78zy

— Antonio Brown (@AB84) September 17, 2018

Would the Steelers trade Antonio Brown?

In a word, yes. But it’s highly unlikely. It would have to take a mother load of an offer, or this issue to march to the point of no return for it to happen.

Now, this is definitely unsettling (and the cause of sportsbooks altering the odds for the prop):

Sources: Antonio Brown didn't show up for work Monday https://t.co/H6rOUsyNZX via @PittsburghPG

— Ed Bouchette (@EdBouchette) September 18, 2018

Brown’s had emotional outbursts in the past, most notably against the Ravens last year.

But the guy delivers. He’s had five straight 100 reception, 1,000+ yard receiving seasons in a row, leading the league twice in each category over that time.

Just checked a few numbers and I don’t think it would be smart for the Steelers to trade Antonio Brown.

— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) September 17, 2018

And while his frustration might have boiled over as they were getting dominated, and because he played third fiddle to both Jesse James (5 rec, 138 yards, TD) and Juju Smith-Schuster (13 rec, 121 yards, TD), Brown still had 17 targets to the lead the team, which resulted in nine catches for 67 yards.

Through 2 games, he’s been targeted 33 times, which is tops in the NFL.

Brown’s actions have been both interpreted as selfish, as well as someone who wants to compete and help his team win badly. Neither is incorrect.

Will the Steelers trade Antonio Brown?

With all due respect to the Bills and Cardinals, perhaps no team has endured a tougher start to the season than the 0-1-1 Steelers. Trading away one of the top players in the league – while another one had yet to report to the team – is not going to help.

People don't actually think Antonio Brown is requesting a trade, right? Seems obvious he was defending his ability as a standalone, QB-proof superstar. And he's right.

— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) September 17, 2018

Brown is an integral part of everything they are trying to accomplish on the offensive side of the ball, and an off-game is not deep-sixing that. If this team has Super Bowl hopes, Brown will be a massive reason why they get there.

He’s also just starting a 4-year, $68 million extension, which, as crazy as it sounds, will be a bargain if he somehow maintains his current productivity level.

Brown isn’t going anywhere. Betting no will net you just a wee bit of capital, but it’s as close to a lock as you will get.