Bills GM says team won't trade for Antonio Brown

Despite reports late Thursday suggesting a trade to send disgruntled Pittsburgh Steelers wideout Antonio Brown to the Buffalo Bills was imminent, the Bills say no such deal will occur.

"We inquired about Antonio Brown on Tuesday and kept talks open with the Steelers. We had positive discussions, but ultimately it didn’t make sense for either side. As great a player as Antonio Brown is, we have moved on and our focus is on free agency," Bills general manager Brandon Beane said in a statement.

Talks between Buffalo and Pittsburgh appeared promising before Brown nixed the potential deal by indicating he wouldn't report to the Bills, a source told Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Brown recently stated he doesn't "need" football anymore and is secure enough financially to retire. The seven-time Pro Bowler also wants a new deal from any team acquiring him, so he could theoretically use fluctuating contract demands to gain leverage as the Steelers explore his trade market.

With the Bills out of the running, a source told The MMQB's Albert Breer that there are "very few options left" for a trade.

Numerous other teams have been linked to a trade for Brown, but nearly all have since dropped out, according to the latest reports.

Brown, who turns 31 in July, posted over 1,200 receiving yards in each of the last six seasons. He led the NFL with 15 touchdown receptions last year, but a falling-out with the organization led to him requesting a trade out of the Steel City.