Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell is not expected to play in the team’s Week 1 matchup against the Cleveland Browns as he continues his holdout, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.
Bell’s agent, Adisa Bakari, has also hinted that the All-Pro running back could miss more regular season games in order to preserve himself heading into free agency.
“He's going to do the things necessary to protect his value long term,” Bakari said.
Bell still hasn't signed his $14.5 million franchise tag and can become a free agent in 2019 as long as he signs it by Week 11. However, the Steelers don't intend to rescind Bell’s franchise tender despite his continued absence, per Fowler.
Second-year running back James Conner will start in Bell's place in Week 1 against the Browns.
Bell, who also held out last year due to his contract situation, returned just before the start of the season and was able to play in their opening game, which was also against the Browns.
The Steelers hoped he would do the same this year, but he and his agent apparently had different plans now that he’s almost certain to hit free agency next offseason.
Bell had a league-high 406 touches last season for Steelers and appears unwilling to risk having to carry that sort of workload again without his long-term future secured.
Unless Bell and the Steelers come up with some sort of compromise, the Browns game could be the first of several games he ends up missing on his way toward accomplishing his ultimate goal.
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