Pittsburgh Steelers star running back Le’Veon Bell has still yet to report to the facility as the team gets ready for a Week 1 matchup with the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
Bell is holding out for a new, lucrative long-term contract, but has yet to reach an agreement with the team and will continue to sit out until something is worked out. In the meantime, Pittsburgh, with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations, will have to press forward without their star back as he looks to get paid.
Often times, players will side with their own in these situations, understanding the nature of the NFL and the necessity of capitalizing on value when possible to get the most guaranteed money, because NFL careers are so fleeting. However, in Pittsburgh, it’s clear the locker room isn’t fully behind Bell, as there was the expectation that he would, at the least, return for Week 1 after skipping camp. Instead, Bell’s agent made a public TV appearance Wednesday to note that an agreement still hadn’t been reached and Bell would continue to “protect” his value by sitting out until a deal is done.
Le'Veon Bell's agent Adisa Bakari just now on NFL LIVE: "He's going to do the things necessary to protect his value long-term."
Week 1 sure sounds like a long-shot.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 5, 2018
That action by Bell’s agent caused the dams break and there was a flood of criticism of Bell coming from the Pittsburgh locker room, chiefly from the offensive linemen that pave the way for Bell to be the dominant force he is. The most outspoken player was Maurkice Pouncey, who lit into Bell over his agent’s public statements and not letting his teammates know when he was planning on coming back.
Maurkice Pouncey is clearly DONE w/ Le’Veon Bell’s absence. Says he’d much prefer Bell just say when he’s going to show up, even if it’s Week 10: “Why play hide and seek? Why let your agent say this? Just man up and tell us what you’re going to do.”
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) September 5, 2018
Pouncey on Bell–"Honestly it's a little selfish. I'm kinda pissed right now. It sucks that he's not here. we'll move on as a team. It doesn't look like he'll be in the game plan at this point. Conner looks great. We'll worry about him in week 2."
— Tim Benz (@TimBenzPGH) September 5, 2018
Maurkice Pouncey also issued this reminder: "A star is born every year in the NFL. Did anyone know Kareem Hunt would be an All-Pro before last season? If James Conner didn't have cancer, he'd have been a first round pick. Just watch him." #Steelers
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) September 5, 2018
Others from the offensive line followed suit, clearly frustrated with Bell’s absence.
Steelers teammates not happy with Le’Veon Bell no show, led by vet G Ramon Foster, their player rep:
“What do you do? here’s a guy who doesn’t give a damn, I guess so we’ll treatit as such. I just hate it came to this. “— Ed Bouchette (@EdBouchette) September 5, 2018
More Ramon Foster on Bell: “He’s making 7 times what I make twice as much as Al (Villanueva) is making and we’re the guys who do it for him.”
— Ed Bouchette (@EdBouchette) September 5, 2018
Ben Roethlisberger, however, is a bit more understanding of the business, but did note there were frustrations from many in the locker room over the situation.
Asked Ben Roethlisberger if the uncertainty over and constant queries about RB Le'Veon Bell's arrival were a drain on the #Steelers. Veteran QB dismisses that for himself, saying he's used to it, but that it "might be bothering" some other guys.
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) September 5, 2018
It will be very interesting to see how things play out in Pittsburgh, particularly whenever Bell does return to the team. There is a divide clearly forming, but winning cures all and if Bell comes back and produces when he does, it’s likely things will be patched up. If not, however, and Bell struggles or the team struggles mightily without him, it could get even worse.
