The Antonio Brown trade saga is reaching a boiling point, and both sides are running out of options

Winslow Townson/AP

• Antonio Brown has demanded a trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers, but months later, a deal has not been made.
• The Steelers and Buffalo Bills were reportedly discussing a trade, but Brown reportedly "nixed" the deal by saying he wouldn't report to the Bills.
• Time is running out for a deal to be made, and the pool of suitors seems to be growing smaller, meaning Brown or the Steelers will have to make a concession or otherwise stay together for another season.

The Pittsburgh Steelers and wide receiver Antonio Brown are running out of options and time if they want a split.

Brown made clear his desire to play for a new team, dating back to Week 17, when he skipped Steelers' practices and didn't answer their calls, and then was benched for the team's final game. He has since come out and demanded a trade, criticized quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and the team culture and expressed his desire to get paid by a new team.

Read more: Antonio Brown is taking his trade demands to social media and NFL insiders say it is making things worse

On Thursday, a deal for Brown appeared close, as several reports indicated the Steelers and Buffalo Bills were discussing a trade that would have sent Brown to the Bills. The teams reportedly had nearly figured out trade compensation, when the Bills backed out.

According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Brown "nixed" going to Buffalo during trade talks. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Bills GM Brandon Beane felt dealing with the question of whether Brown would or would not show up to Buffalo was not worth it.

Brown's leverage is becoming a critical factor in trade discussions. Brown told ESPN that he doesn't "need" football and would only play on his terms. That has seemingly affected some teams' desire to trade for Brown, the high price notwithstanding.

Additionally, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported that Brown's contract demands deterred some teams, namely the Oakland Raiders. Brown has base salaries of $12 million, $11 million, and $12 million over the next three years, but no guaranteed money. His cap hit is $22 million, according to Spotrac. Brown has said he wants a new contract with guaranteed money.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that there are six or seven teams with the most interest in Brown. Schefter also said the Steelers told teams that they expected a deal in place by Friday.

Time and options seem to be running out, however. Teams seem to be falling out of the running, either over concern about Brown's contract, the cost to get him, or the potential fit. ESPN's Rob Demovsky reported that the Green Bay Packers - a team that could use a No. 1 wide receiver - are out, for example.

Both Rapoport and Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer have reported the pool of teams is growing smaller.

Any trade essentially requires Brown to agree to go to the team. If it comes down to it, Brown will have to weigh whether he'd rather be dealt to a team that isn't high on his list or return to the Steelers. His cap hit makes it unlikely the team would cut him.

The NFL draft is the backdrop to all of this. The Steelers need compensation for Brown. It seems unlikely that they would be willing to wait a full year for the draft compensation.

There's plenty of time until the draft. But with the pool of suitors growing smaller, time may be running out on a deal.