Antonio Brown wants Steelers to give him new contract; may holdout

Antonio Brown has not only been one of the NFL's best overall players during the past two seasons, but he's also been one of the most underpaid players.

The NFL's leading receiver of the past two seasons has been making under $9 million per year after signing a five-year, $42 million extension back in 2011. If Brown gets his way, that won't be the case for much longer.

Per Fox Sports' Mike Garafolo, Brown wants a new deal and my consider holding out if one doesn't come:

The All-Pro wide receiver, who has caught 239 passes in the past two seasons combined, will be skipping the voluntary workout program and is mulling sitting out mandatory minicamp and perhaps even training camp in an attempt to secure a new contract, sources have told FOX Sports.

Brown and his camp have already spoken to team management about redoing his deal and told them his absence this spring will be related to the deal. The Steelers are bracing for a possible camp holdout from Brown, whose 129 catches in 2014 are the second-most in a single season behind Marvin Harrison's 143 in 2002.

Brown's agent Drew Rosenhaus declined to comment when asked about his client's contract situation and whether he'll hold out.

The Steelers have never been a franchise that caves in to player holdouts, but they've never had a player as good as Brown threaten to holdout. This will be an interesting story to watch as the summer progresses, but it's hard to not picture Brown on the field when Week 1 opens.