Antonio Brown to Steelers: 'If a guy overperforms, you take care of him'

LATROBE, Pa. -- Wide receiver Antonio Brown said he never planned to hold out but made it clear Sunday the Pittsburgh Steelers should give him a new contract.

Brown is due $6.25 million in the fifth year of a six-year, $43-million contract. He's caught an NFL-record 264 passes over two seasons.

"You have to take care of your guys," Brown said after Sunday's practice. "If a guy underperforms, you get rid of him. If a guy overperforms, you take care of him."

Brown, who said agent Drew Rosenhaus is expected to meet with the Steelers, was responding to a question about whether he should be the exception to the Steelers' long-standing policy not to renegotiate contracts for non-quarterbacks unless a player has one year left on his contract.

General manager Kevin Colbert cited this policy on Steelers Nation Radio this week, saying Brown is a "great player" who understands the team's business approach.

Brown said the Steelers have been "first class" to him in the past, including a contract restructure last year to move $2 million of future salary into 2015 as a way to please the talented receiver.

Another restructure of Brown's contract is a possibility.