Main takeaways from Mike Tomlin’s Wednesday Press Conference:

1. Tomlin, as expected, was on the defensive about the Antonio Brown fake knee injury, calling it a real injury to obviously protect the Steelers from league discipline, though, it became clear by Tomlin’s comments that even if he was telling the truth and the team thought Brown had an actual injury at one point, the team obviously became fully aware by Saturday morning that the injury was pretty much made up by Brown when Brown went AWOL and skipped the scheduled MRI on Friday.

2. As the press conference dragged on and by the time it ended, it became clear Tomlin and the Steelers have finally reached a breaking point with Brown and a trade is very much going to be in play as it should be.

3. The mystery remains we’re the Steelers really going to try to hide this story if they would have snuck in the playoffs? It sure seems that way. This only got out because of players in that room.

League Chatter: Steelers will trade Antonio Brown

As Brown is forcing his way out of Pittsburgh, the prevailing sense around the league is the Steelers indeed will trade Brown this off-season.

[hide] The top NFL insider in the business Adam Schefter see’s it playing out that way.

“We’ve seen this whole situation go crazy,” Schefter said of the Steelers on the Rich Eisen show. “I think it’s worse than people think. When you talk to people around the league, overwhelming sense that the Steelers will wind up trading Antonio Brown this off-season.”

“There’s a prevailing feeling that’s the direction this is going and Antonio Brown will be happy about that,” Schefter added.

When it comes to a return for Brown, Schefter see’s a market price already established.

“Dallas Cowboys traded a first round pick for a wide receiver [Amari Cooper] who was seven years younger,” said Schefter. “Cooper goes for a one. Brandon Cooks last off-season went for a one and a four. Gives you an idea.”

“Rough baseline the Pittsburgh Steelers to get back should they follow through.”

Schefter rightfully so downplayed the big fuss about $21 million in dead cap money that so many seem to believe will prevent a trade.

“The cap has risen so much to where it could be $190 million. Handicaps you some but it’s about cash. Teams can do anything they want with the cap” To swallow $21 million in dead money is not a big deal. It’s not difficult to find that space if that’s what they ultimately want to do.”

Schefter indicated again later in the interview “I think most people think it will lead to Antonio Brown out of Pittsburgh.”[/hide]