Art Rooney II publicly said it is "hard to envision" Antonio Brown remaining with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019.

Brown's absence in Week 17 practices resulted in a benching for the season finale.

"There's not much we can do right now; we have time to make a decision," Rooney said. "We'll look at all the options. We're not going to release him, that's not on the table. But I will say all other options are on the table. Whether the situation can be reconciled and have him back on the team next year, we're a long way from thinking that can happen. We're not closing the door on anything at this point."

The Steelers couldn't trade Brown until March 13th. Brown's $2.5 million roster bonus due March 17 would incentivize the Steelers to deal him. The Steelers would absorb $21.12 million in 2019 dead money on the salary cap by trading Brown, but taking his $22.165 million cap charge off the books would offset that cost. 

Rooney said in the interview that salary-cap implications would not "box us into anything."