Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell is set to sit out for the second week in a row as he continues to hold out from the team. Bell’s decision to do so prior to Week 1 brought out some negative feelings from a handful of his teammates.
Former NFL running back and current NFL Network analyst Maurice Jones-Drew revealed on the Dave Dameshek Football Program that Bell did not appreciate the fact that his teammates spoke out so publicly about him and his contract situation.
“[Bell] said to me ‘people think that I don't like Pittsburgh, I don't like James Conner, I don't like these guys,'” Jones-Drew said per Austin Knoblauch of NFL.com. “He was like yes, I was disappointed they went out and spoke about my contract, understandably so. He was like, but I still want them to do well, they're still guys that I work with and guys that I've put in this extra work with — blood, sweat and tears like I still want them to do well.”
Jones-Drew added that Bell was delighted for his replacement, James Conner, following his terrific performance. However, he also points out that Conner's heavy workload helped vindicate Bell's decision.
“[Bell] was happy for James Conner after that performance but that performance justifies why he's not there right now. If you're going to give James Conner 31 carries, imagine how many you'd give to Le'Veon Bell?”
Bell has yet to report to the team and sign his $14.54 million franchise tag tender. He has until Week 10 to report to be able to hit free agency in 2019. Bell’s agent, Adisa Bakari, has hinted that the running back is holding out to avoid such a heavy workload heading into next year.
Unless Bell and the Steelers come to sort of compromise on their issues, it’s unlikely that he returns anytime soon. His Steelers teammates won’t be too pleased about it, but that’s just the price he’ll have to pay to get paid.
Follow Us
Subscribe