Steelers sign Antonio Brown to a five year – $42.5 million extension

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Antonio Brown, the team’s Most Valuable Player in 2011, have agreed to a five year extension worth $42.5 million, including an $8.5 million signing bonus. Brown who was entering the last year of contract, is now signed through the 2017 season. He will make $9.04 million in 2012.

The signing is a strong message to Mike Wallace who had been offered more but similar money, however, the Steelers intention was to try to workout a deal with Brown this summer regardless of the Wallace situation. The Steelers on Wednesday took their offer to Wallace off the table and Wallace’s holdout has now reached three days.

Brown, a 6th round pick in 2010, emerged as the Steelers most complete receiver last season and had 69 receptions for 1,108 yards and 2 touchdowns. Brown has also evolved as the Steelers top return man, although the team is looking to limit his role in that area this season with Brown being the team’s No. 1 receiver.

The Steelers have been an organization that rarely pays big money to receivers as they regard it as one of the easiest positions to replace. Brown being an excellent professional and hard worker off the field, also played a part in the Steelers wanting to get a deal done now.

Brown’s agent Drew Rosenhaus was on campus today and there were some rumblings that Rosenhaus was in camp to discuss the team possibly bringing Plaxico Burress into camp but he was obviously here to finalize the deal for Brown.