Report: Brown declined Steelers' request to delay $2.5M bonus

Disgruntled receiver Antonio Brown rejected the Pittsburgh Steelers' request to delay his $2.5-million roster bonus for salary cap purposes, a source told Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.

The Steelers will incur a dead cap charge of $23.62 million if they trade Brown after awarding the bonus, which is due March 16. They would save $2.5 million against the cap by trading him before sending the bonus check.

Pittsburgh cannot trade Brown to a new team until March 13, the first official day of the new league year. The Steelers' reported request could suggest they aren't confident a deal will come to fruition over the next two weeks.

Brown asked the Steelers to send him elsewhere after his relationship with the franchise deteriorated over the course of the season.

The seven-time Pro Bowler posted 104 receptions for 1,297 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. He's eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in receiving six consecutive years.

Brown, 30, is expected to seek a new deal that includes more guaranteed money from any team that acquires him.