The 2019 Antonio Brown Trade: Pittsburgh Got Two Picks for a Raider Who Never Played a Game
Oakland sent Pittsburgh third- and fifth-round picks for Antonio Brown. The Steelers drafted Diontae Johnson and Zach Gentry; Brown was released before Week 1.
Las Vegas Raiders Received
- player Antonio Brown
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- pick 2019 3rd round pick (66th overall, Diontae Johnson )
- pick 2019 5th round pick (141st overall, Zach Gentry )
Trade Summary
Pittsburgh salvaged meaningful value from a relationship with Antonio Brown that had become untenable, receiving 2019 third- and fifth-round picks from Oakland. The third-rounder became Diontae Johnson and the fifth became Zach Gentry, while Brown never played a regular-season snap for the Raiders. The Steelers did not receive peak-market value for an elite receiver, but converting a collapsing situation into two useful players became a decisive win.
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
Pittsburgh traded Antonio Brown to Oakland in March 2019 for the 66th and 141st picks in that year's draft. The Steelers used those selections on wide receiver Diontae Johnson and tight end Zach Gentry. Oakland also agreed to a new contract structure with Brown, expecting one of the league's most productive receivers to become the centerpiece of a revamped offense.
The football return for the Raiders never arrived.
Why Pittsburgh Was Willing to Sell Low
Brown's production suggested a first-round-caliber player, but the relationship between the receiver and the Steelers had deteriorated badly. That reduced Pittsburgh's leverage. The organization accepted two mid-round picks to end the dispute and move forward rather than carry an increasingly unstable situation into another season.
At the time, the compensation looked light. In hindsight, simply receiving usable assets became a major victory.
What Happened in Oakland
Brown's Raiders tenure became a sequence of off-field disputes, missed practice time, disciplinary issues and a breakdown in the relationship before the regular season began. Oakland released him two days before its opener. He never played a regular-season snap for the franchise.
That outcome makes the asset comparison unusually simple. The Raiders surrendered two draft picks, allocated significant organizational attention to the acquisition and received zero regular-season games from the player.
What Pittsburgh Did With the Picks
Johnson became a productive starting receiver and eventually made a Pro Bowl. Gentry developed into a useful inline tight end. Neither needed to become a superstar for Pittsburgh to win the trade; the Raiders' zero-game return had already created an enormous gap.
The Steelers also proved they could replace Brown's receiving volume over time without remaining tied to the conflict that ended his Pittsburgh tenure.
Final Verdict
Pittsburgh wins overwhelmingly. The Steelers entered the trade with limited leverage yet still converted Brown into two NFL contributors. Oakland acquired the bigger name and theoretically the better player, but never received a single regular-season snap. Few veteran trades have produced a wider gap between expected value and realized value.