Brown spent nearly a decade with the Steelers, establishing himself as one of the league’s premier wide receivers. After the 2016 season, the Steelers’ postseason fortunes began to fade. In the divisional round against the Kansas City Chiefs, Chris Boswell kicked six field goals, helping the Steelers reach the AFC Championship Game and marking one of the rare playoff wins without a touchdown since 2006. Despite that victory, the Steelers have not won a playoff game since, tallying seven postseason appearances without a win in the ensuing years. Their first loss in that stretch came in the 2016 AFC Championship round against the New England Patriots. Under head coach Mike Tomlin, the team made several more playoff appearances, but most runs ended in one-and-done outcomes, including five wild-card exits.
Brown traded away from the Steelers soon after, spending two more seasons with the franchise before a falling-out with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and the organization. While Brown did not intentionally curse the team, folklore has linked him to the misfortune that followed. The impact, it is argued, extended beyond Pittsburgh and seemed to follow Brown to other teams he later joined.
The Steelers traded Brown to the Oakland Raiders, but he never played for Oakland and requested his release. He subsequently signed a one-year contract with the New England Patriots, appearing in only one game. Before the trade to Oakland, the Buffalo Bills nearly acquired him, but Brown declined, preferring not to play in Buffalo. In the wake of these moves, both the Steelers and the Raiders missed the playoffs, while the Patriots and Bills were eliminated in the Wild Card round. A social media post about the “Antonio Brown curse” circulated as multiple teams faced playoff disappointment in a short span. Brown also spent time with the New Orleans Saints, who were eliminated as well. Brown later joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and helped the team win a Super Bowl. The Steelers, meanwhile, have continued their search for a playoff victory since 2017.
Recent years have raised questions about the Steelers’ path back to the postseason. Under Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh posted another double-digit win season to reach the playoffs, but questions remain about whether that success was partly due to a weaker division. With Tomlin stepping down from his role and Mike McCarthy taking the helm, some analysts argue that a 10-win season might not guarantee a playoff berth in a highly competitive conference. ESPN analyst comments have suggested skepticism about whether the Steelers can translate double-digit wins into playoff success in the current landscape, given strong divisions and tough competitors.
Looking ahead, the AFC North includes formidable teams like the Cincinnati Bengals and the Baltimore Ravens, both eager to reclaim dominance. The Bengals return with key players such as Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins, along with defensive upgrades. The Ravens, under new leadership and reinforced on defense, pose another significant challenge. As a result, even a solid 10-win season may not be enough for the Steelers to clinch a playoff spot in a crowded division.
In summary, the notion of an Antonio Brown-related curse remains a topic of debate among fans. While Brown’s career included moments of controversy and high achievement, the broader playoff picture for the Steelers is shaped by the strength of their division, leadership changes, and the performance of rival teams. The team continues its pursuit of postseason success, aiming to convert regular-season wins into meaningful playoff progression.
