The Facts: Last year, Brown tried to get a new contract from the team, with three years left on his current deal. It didn't work. This year, the absence of receiver Martavis Bryant for a full season gives Brown an even stronger case for getting a new contract.

Diehards Line: As PFT's Mike Florio notes, Brown already could be missing some of the offseason program, given his looming participation in ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. He may decide to skip the whole thing unless and until the team rectifies the fact that his contract pays out $6.25 million this year and $8.71 million in 2017. Brown has become one of the best receivers — if not the best receiver — in the league. Yes, he’s under contract for two more years. But Brown has grossly outperformed his five-year, $41.96 million contract. Yes, the Steelers have a policy not to offer contract extensions when a player has two or more years left on his deal. But if any non-quarterback can change that, it's Brown, who is more important than ever with Bryant out again.