Report: Steelers exploring trade options for Brown

The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly exploring trade options for Antonio Brown, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport. However, they haven't granted the receiver permission to seek a trade.

Brown has reportedly told members of the Steelers organization that he hasn't closed the door on returning to the team, per Rapoport.

In the last week, Brown has posted a thank-you note to the city of Pittsburgh as well as photos of himself in San Francisco 49ers gear.

On Thursday, Steelers owner Art Rooney II publicly discussed needing to have a sit-down with Brown before deciding a course of action on the wide receiver's future with the team.

Teammates JuJu Smith-Schuster and Maurkice Pouncey said last week they haven't heard from Brown but maintain he would be welcomed back to the club's locker room.

Brown was benched during the Steelers' must-win season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals after skipping practices following a dispute with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger earlier in the week.