The Facts: Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports reports that Brown will not be joining his teammates at offseason workouts as he tries to push the Steelers toward giving him a new deal.
Diehards Line:
The Steelers are among 25 teams starting their voluntary off-season programs today. ... Brown signed a six-year, $43 million deal with the Steelers in the summer of 2012, but has seen his numbers explode over the last two seasons as the focal point of the Pittsburgh passing offense. He’s caught 239 passes for 3,197 yards and 21 touchdowns for the Steelers while playing in every game and adding two more touchdowns as a punt returner. Those numbers make Brown integral to anything the Steelers want to do on offense this season and Garafolo reports he’s mulling an extended absence from the Steelers in hopes of getting the new contract terms he wants. Brown is reportedly considering missing June’s mandatory minicamp and training camp time as well, which would make for a contentious standoff if the Steelers don’t find a way to make Brown happy before the calendar gets to those points.