Antonio Brown Gets Paid

AB is a Raidahhh.

Social media has revolutionized everything, including NFL free agency. After much speculation from many sources, AB himself announced the decision on Twitter. The tweet from @AB84 simply had the hashtag "#RaiderNation" with a photoshopped picture of Brown wearing the silver and black and a few skull emojis to add a touch of black hole ambience.

The reported deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers included Oakland's 3rd- and 5th-round picks in the 2019 draft. The new contract will make Brown the highest paid receiver in the NFL. All agreements are in principle since the new league year doesn't start until Wednesday, March 13.

The larger ramifications of this new deal remain to be seen, but it is a win for Brown regardless.

Antonio Brown is 31. I am 31. I would prefer to argue that Antonio Brown is not only young but just entering his prime. The NFL, however, works differently than other industries. Clint Eastwood can make movies til he's 100, and I could write the script from a cozy chair, but pro football puts mileage on a body that can take away the good and just leave it bad and ugly. It's a young man's game and when skill players hit the 30-year-old threshold, the narrative starts to usher them into the direction of the PFRPA.

Yet Brown is still one of the most productive receivers in the game and you'll have a hard time finding a defensive back he doesn't intimidate. He led the league in reception touchdowns in 2018 despite sitting out the final game. Once Brown revealed he wanted a trade, the writing was on the wall and opinions were in the air.

Brown has a well-known agent, Drew Rosenhaus, and he commented that Jon Gruden played a big role in getting Brown. It's clear that Brown's age and personality were not concerns for Gruden. In a business where worth is determined by what someone is willing to pay, hooray for Brown for hitting his pay day. Haters gonna hate, so no matter what the criticism is, as long as AB pays his taxes, he'll be alright.

When Odell Beckham signed a big contract, his sentiment was that it wasn't compensation for what he is about to do but rather what he has already done. The problem is that in Brown's case, he hasn't done anything for the Raiders yet. So the reality is that a contract sets an expectation for future production. Still, Brown's value was determined by his talent, consistency and marketability. The soon-to-be Las Vegas Raiders are getting a great player that should be compatible with quarterback Derek Carr and will be received by Raiders fans in spite of misplaced indictments on Brown's character from Steelers fans.

Under a CBA that many argue gives the owners more leverage against the players, one thing that the players can benefit from is when the market is set at their position in their favor. Even before the details of the contract are finalized, it will be the precedent for the wide receiver position not only for this off-season but beyond.

So it appears to also be a win for the person he is replacing on the Oakland offense: Amari Cooper.

The Dallas Cowboys had given up a 1st-round pick for 24-year-old Amari Cooper, who in his partial season for the Cowboys showed his own worth.

The catch was that in 2018 Cooper played for $700,000, but in 2019 his salary on the 5th-year option built-in to rookie contracts will be about $14 million. It is clear the Cowboys will re-sign him, but the early projection is that the new contract will cost them possibly $16 million per year.

How will the Brown deal affect the Cooper deal? Joel Segal and Chafie Fields who represent Cooper as a part of Lagardere Unlimited sports agency will help decide that as they negotiate with Jerry Jones. One thing is for sure: Cooper is also going to get paid.

AB and AC are different players. They bring different value to their respective teams. Objective comparisons are fair. Cooper is listed at 6'1'' 210 pounds while Brown is listed at 5'10'' 180 pounds. Cooper actually ran a faster 40 time at the NFL Combine.

Yet, Cooper may never appear on Dancing With The Stars or do as many commercials. The conversation should not be about comparing the two. Don't let the narrative or out-of-context statistics fool you. The quiet Cooper isn't competing against the vocal Brown, even if their teams meet in the Super Bowl.

The main thing that matters to these players is their guaranteed money and their health. The players are all in this together, which is why an NFLPA exists. Cooper's pending contract will take care of him and his family for the rest of his life.

Cooper doesn't have to channel his inner Rod Tidwell to ask the Cowboys to SHOW HIM THE MONEY! The Raiders showed Brown. Cooper will see his.