The Steelers appear to be ready to cut ties with Antonio Brown after Steelers executive Art Rooney II, said they are considering all options. 247 Sports said that the team would not release the player but other options exist.

Rooney opened up about the tense relationship between Brown and the Steelers, saying it may be too late to repair. Rooney said that no decision has been made regarding Brown and that the door is not closed on any option.

Antonio Brown skipped out on team meetings

The strained relationship with Brown and the Steelers began when he bailed on practices and team meetings heading into their final game on Dec. 30. Rumors have spread suggesting that Brown and Ben Roethlisberger had a disagreement.

Steelers front office made him inactive against the Bengals.

Antonio Brown costs the Steelers $22 million towards their salary cap. A trade would still cost Pittsburgh $21 million towards their salary cap. A trade would save the Steelers $15.1 million.

Trading Antonio Brown remains an option

Rooney is open to trading away their receiver if that is what is determined to be the best move, despite the salary cap ramifications. Rooney said that the salary cap would not impact any decision they make, but it would help them figure out a way to deal with that.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Brown did not return phone calls from Rooney and Steelers coach, Mike Tomlin. Rooney has suggested that a trade would happen when they decide to move on from the receiver.

No matter what, Brown is finished in Pittsburgh, but will probably be picked up by a team in need of a star receiver. The Steelers have until March 13, the start of the league year, to figure out what to do with Brown.

It's highly likely that a Brown-Steelers divorce will come. However, Rooney would welcome Brown back to the team, if he did a few things.

Rooney said that if Brown were to stay a Steeler, he needs to meet with him and explain what caused his issues at the end of the 2018 season. Brown also must sit down with Mike Tomlin, who publicly aired his disappointment in his star receiver.

Antonio Brown would also be required to speak to several of his teammates, including Ben Roethlisberger, Maurkice Pouncey, and Cameron Heyward.

Tomlin devoted ten years to working with Brown. Brown needs to find a way to repair the damage he caused between him and the Steelers organization. While Rooney has said everything is on the table, he did provide Roethlisberger a lifesaver.
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