Antonio Brown Says He Wants to Retire with Steelers; Played 9 Seasons with PIT

Antonio Brown is a free-agent wide receiver. The departure of the wideout was not on the best of terms.

Brown spent his first nine years in Pittsburgh, establishing himself as one of the best pass-catchers in the league. He wants to bring his career full circle.

AB @AB84

Just wanna Retire A Steeler

AB @AB84

Not Play Jus Retire so we Clear

Signing a one-day ceremonial contract to officially retire as a member of the Steelers would reflect Brown's place in the franchise's history.

Neal Coolong @NealCoolong

Antonio Brown should have retired with the #Steelers. None of what followed his departure should have happened. He should be talked about among the 5 best receivers to ever play. None of this is even debatable, but it's insanely frustrating for everyone involved.

The 33-year-old is second all-time in catches, receiving yards and receiving touchdown, trailing only Hines Ward. He went to seven Pro Bowls and earned four All-Pro nods, and put himself on a possible Hall of Fame track in Pittsburgh.

The All-Decade Team for the 2010s featured four wideouts, including Brown. Fitzgerald is a lock to join Johnson in the Hall of Fame. Both Jones and Brown have put together a good resume.

The Steelers might not be willing to extend an olive branch.

The relationship between Brown and the team had been breaking down for a long time, with one former Steeler saying it had been going on for years.

The drama that followed Brown after his departure from Pittsburgh was between his tenure with the Oakland Raiders and his quitting in the middle of a game.

If Brown is denied the chance to hang up his cleats in the Steel City, it is unlikely that many fans will be upset.