Le’Veon Bell isn’t with the Pittsburgh Steelers on the eve of their opening game of the 2018 season, which means he’s not getting paid. Regardless of the support or criticism from his teammates about the star running back’s holdout, geography is everything when it comes to getting paid, and Bell isn’t with the black and gold.
That means he’s getting fined by the franchise, which is in a contract dispute with one of the league’s best ball carriers. ESPN reported Saturday that Bell officially won’t be with the team for its season opener, and the Steelers have fined Bell as he continues to hold out for a long-term contract with the franchise.
No one knows for sure when and how this situation ends, though logic would dictate Bell will return to the team at some point. But his absence will come with consequences to his wallet, to the tune of close to a million dollars.
Le’Veon Bell did not report to the Pittsburgh Steelers before Saturday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline, meaning the star running back officially will surrender his Week 1 game check worth $853,000.
The Steelers were on their way to Cleveland on Saturday for their regular-season opener Sunday against the Browns, and Bell was not with the team, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Bell’s absence leaves the Steelers — thought to be a Super Bowl contender with or without Bell — starting James Connor against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Antonio Brown has said he’ll welcome Bell back whenever he’s ready. He might be in the minority on the Steelers right now, but when the team is playing anyone other than the Browns those numbers might change.
