Another day has came and went and Le’Veon Bell still hasn’t reported to the Steelers facility. Although many had speculated that Wednesday would be the day Bell showed up, that wasn’t the case according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link).
There were rumors that Bell would report on Labor Day, but Wednesday always seemed the most likely. Wednesday is the most important practice day of the week, when preparation for Sunday’s game really ramps up. As of now, it would seem difficult to imagine Bell playing against the Browns on Sunday without being there for today’s meetings and practice.
Ross Tucker of The Athletic tweeted that “from a strictly business perspective” it would make sense for Bell to avoid reporting until Friday or Saturday, ensuring that the Steelers would be forced to make him inactive for the game but avoid missing out on the $855K game check.
Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette followed up with a tweet pointing out if the Steelers “get a roster exemption, they don’t have to pay him. Up to them.” While it seems unlikely the Steelers would do that and risk alienating the star even further, it’s a definite possibility and one Bell’s camp must be considering, especially in the wake of Steelers GM Kevin Colbert‘s unusual statement released Monday.
We should know more on the situation soon, but as of right now it doesn’t look like Bell will be playing Week 1. Rapoport did tweet that “players have until 4 pm Saturday to show up to be able to play on Sunday. For what it’s worth”, but it would be nearly unprecedented for Bell to report the day before a game and be able to play.
Must be nice to throw away $855k. It’s better he didn’t show, for James Conner he’ll be the starter no doubt.
I would walk away from it to prove my worth. He’s worth what he’s asking for. Before JuJu he was the #2 receiver and of course argubly the best running back in the league for 5 years. He wants to be paid as a dual threat.
Bell wants his money, nothing wrong with that. Pittsburgh either needs to pay up or trade him to somewhere that’ll give him the money he deserves.
The Steelers have paid him every penny owed. Just another greedy prick. Let him go. Move on.
How dare he want to get his due and set the rest of his life up well. Gurley got paid and he was drafted 2 years later. Bell has given them 5 seasons and played under the tag last year. Its his time. Trade him to someone who will.
They offered him more than Gurley took, and he still turned it down..hes out here lookin for 18Mil as a RB.. The Steelers are smart to hold him back.. He can either help the team or get fined.. Helping another team in a yr steelers are all in on a ring, is not an option.
Steelers put winning ahead of money, thus why they even offered him that big contract in the first place. Its a relief he didnt sign. Also why they ate Landrys contract and kept Dobbs & Mason.. Steelers will not trade Bell.. Let alone is anyone willing to trade a 1st rnder to sign a rb to insane money.
Non guarenteed money is as good as the paper its printed on. They offered him 2 seasons worth of guarantees. For a guy who has been the best RB in football thats not enough. You are talking about this man like he is Trent Richardson
So what is he waiting on? They’ve offered what they are willing to pay. Does he think they’ll change the offer to his desires? Meanwhile he’s hurting the team. And Trent Richardson??? The offer he got was as good as you’ll get from a smart team like the Steelers
Ok and the Steepers can let him go if they dont want to give him more guarenteed than 2 seas9ns.
A RB who averages 60 plus receptions and almost 700 yards receiving every year.
“Set the rest of of his life up well”?? So making $15M over the course of 5 months isn’t enough to set his life up well? SERIOUSLY?!?! If $15M, plus the $16M he has already earned isn’t enough for him to have a good life, then he needs to take a class on the value of a dollar ect… and learn how to SAVE MONEY!!!!
Would you pay the price of s brand new Benz if it already had 75,000 miles on it ? He has been compensated for what he has already done .. he is not owed more now as a repayment for the past
No extension and he is getting paid. If you want your team to overpay Bell, have at it, Skippy.
I don’t see any reason why the Steelers would pay him if they get the exemption. They know this relationship is done after this year.
Well, they need him if they want to contend for a title this year.
Bell to the Jets for B. Powell and a first rounder
I agree there should be a sign & trade, preferably for defense.
Wait til Bell shows and then make him start Sunday. Hand him the ball for the whole game and make him work his butt off for the money.
He’s already worked his butt off. You got guys like Suh getting paid and has not lived up to the hype. The man plays 2 positions very well pay him.
You hold out to signify you are not happy with your current contract. The Steelers offered him a fantastic offer twice. His mom wanted him to accept the first offer, and I’d guess the second as well. He declined, which is his right to do, but don’t continue to hold out for something you won’t get. He’s hurting the team. A lot of respect lost for him. Thankfully Conner has looked good in the preseason
Paging John Lynch. Do you read? Over.
You are only young once. It would be ashamed if he sat out this season and wasted a year of his illustrious career. I guess he feels if you are going to over use me, then pay me for it!
What terms and money is Bell seeking?
A long-term deal paying 17-18 mil a year. They can offer garunteed money upfront to reach that number. They don’t want to pay him period
Looking at these comments tells me 2 things. Y’all not real fans if you claim Steeler nation. Or simply u just don’t know football. This man has gave 5 years to this team. Not to mention has yet to receive an extension or real payday. Brown and Ben got paid there was no gripes there. He averages more receptions and yards then some WR2s in the league at the RB position. He’s argubly the best dual threat back in football today. Should he get 18 mil why not look at his usage and the numbers. The offer should at least have been 16mil to start off negotiations.
The first line of your story is a mess. “Has came and went” is incorrect. Either say just “came and went,” or “has come and gone.”
Nice
Screen door on a battleship.