6:09 pm: Although Bell has now made it known he plans on reporting to the Steelers, the team is still “expected to be interested in listening to trade offers” for the running back, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN (Twitter link). Schefter notes that Bell’s announcement will “not dissuade” the Steelers from making a deal if the terms are favorable. It remains unclear what kind of trade market Bell would have for a one-year rental, but it’s possible they could get something. It was reported yesterday that the Eagles and 49ers had some interest.
5:46pm: The question everyone in the football world has been asking finally has an answer. Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell plans to report to the team during Pittsburgh’s bye week in Week 7, a source told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN (Twitter link).
It’s a great day to be a Steelers fan, as Fowler adds “Bell definitely plans to play football for the Steelers this season.” Bell’s future with the team seemed to be in serious doubt as recently as earlier this week, when it was reported that the Steelers were actively shopping him. It’s possible the threat of an imminent trade caused Bell to re-consider his stance and leak the news of his impending return.
The news means the Steelers will only have to go two more games without Bell, Week 5 and 6 matchups against the Falcons and Bengals respectively. The news couldn’t come at a better time for the Steelers, as the team is currently in disarray. Fresh off a 12 point home loss on Sunday Night Football to the Ravens, the Steelers currently find themselves at 1-2-1, tied with the Browns for last place in the AFC North.
While James Conner has filled in admirably, it will be a huge boost to the Steelers’ offense. Teams simply don’t have to gameplan to stop Conner in the way that they do Bell. Assuming Bell does return during the bye, his first game will be back at home in Pittsburgh for a game against Cleveland. It’s unclear how this bizarre and relatively unprecedented situation will impact Bell’s longterm future in Pittsburgh or his 2019 free agency, but we should have a lot more clarity soon.
Bell will sign his franchise tender, and assuming the Steelers don’t agree to any 2018 pay-raise, he’ll earn just a tick under $10MM as his $14.94MM franchise tag salary would be prorated over the 11 weeks he’ll spend with the team.
It’s great news, but doesn’t address the defensive situation, which is in dire need of shazier and someone who can cover in the secondary.
It’s great news that he decided when he feels like playing? Give your head a shake. He’s as good as gone. Regardless of his talent he’s a selfish child and won’t fit in well in many locker rooms outside of the Cowboys and Browns.
The team refused to pay him and made it known they never would. How is he selfish for protecting his earning potential once the team did that? Particularly in a league where the owners don’t have to live up to their end of a contract but the fans expect the players to?
They offered him a fair contract. He didn’t take it. He’d be making $15 million if he played this year out. He’s a selfish player. The Steelers are struggling and he’s at home pouting. Why would I want that on my team anyway? His number one concern isn’t winning.
A fair deal, says some random fan who apparently thinks he’s the deciding force on what’s fair.
Here are a few things you’re ignoring in your determination of fair:
1- NFL players don’t care about AAV. They care about overall guaranteed money.
2- $15 million is less than half what Barkley was guaranteed.
3- Bell is better than Barkley and HS done more in his career.
So attacking…. calm down son. He’s not worth what he’s asking. Steelers are moving on. He can make $15 million this year (poor guy) and move on next year to be overpayed. For a guy who’s missed a ton of games over the years I guess he would want guaranteed money… which is why the Steelers aren’t doing it
14 mil isn’t refusing to pay.
They refused to guarantee his long term deal because he’s a flake. He should learn to take responsibility for his screw ups.
It’s great news because he’ll be back this season. Absolutely he’s gone after this year and I agree that he’s selfish
This Sunday’s game is almost a playoff elimination game. The Steelers would be 1-3-1 or the Falcons would be 1-4. Tough to see either making the playoffs at that point.
Steelers schedule looks tough this year. Bengals look good, ravens seem good, browns are no easy win. Play the patriots and jags as well. Falcons will throw all over the Steelers secondary which scares me.
It’s a great day to be a Steelers fan? We don’t want him back. He burnt his bridge to Pittsburgh. Keep him on the sidelines, trade him, whatever, but I could care less if he comes back or not.
It’s so nice of bell to decide to wait a few more weeks while he watches his team struggle. I’d have him running go routes every play once he came back.
Good idea. Ruin your chances of winning once your best player returns.
Getting Bell should be good for them but bottom line is he’s not gonna be replacing Shazier on that defense which is what they need more than anything. This defense is bottom 10 in everything, even with Bell I don’t see this team making the playoffs.
Hey does EARL THOMAS ring a bell.
Thomas is under contract, Bell isn’t. Big difference.
Is this for real?
I am not a fan of hold outs but in Bell’s case he was forced into a contract. I like the idea that MLB added with the latest qualifying offer that you can not franchise a player more than once, where in the NFL you get average of top 5 or 20% increase from prior year and keep it going til it gets cost prohibitive (ala kirk cousins).
If you get one year with no restriction on extension or player goes fa after i think it is fair.
Oh that’s big of him while his teammates are busting their asses, should they kiss his feet as they bow when he walks by?
Sick of players always wanting to renegotiate contracts when they are doing well but they never give money back when they suck ass for 2 or 3 yrs. just stop
this isnt baseball bro. if a player sucks they can be cut on spot. and he isnt trying to renegotiate anything. he was slapped with the tag.
I hope they trade him because it will probably be a lost season for Pittsburgh by the time he comes back. A month ago I said they should have pulled the tag & used the money on the defensive side of the ball.
Felicia Bell who?
I think its a bit much to call him selfish.
and I don’t understand the point of view most people have of oh he owes it to the fans or to the team or his teammates. he wants to get paid x amount they don’t want to pay him so shouldn’t he have the right to move around instead of being held hostage so to speak?
Mr arrogant will be put out again by mr burdock