ALAMEDA, Calif. — Rookie general manager Mike Mayock and coach Jon Gruden had meticulously put together a plan to rebuild the Oakland Raiders with three first-round draft picks and a couple of smart free agent signings when they suddenly got sent in a different direction last week.
The Pittsburgh Steelers were willing to trade the NFL's most prolific wide receiver for two mid-round draft picks, assuming the Raiders could come to terms on a new contract for Antonio Brown.
"When we discovered we might have a chance for his services, it changed everything," Mayock said Wednesday after the Raiders officially added Brown as their first big move of the new league year.
They also added another receiver Wednesday, agreeing to a four-year contract with former Chargers deep threat Tyrell Williams, a person familiar with the deal said on condition of anonymity because the contract hasn't been signed yet.