Tensions are brewing between Le’Veon Bell and teammates
By Cody Rivera
Le’Veon Bell is trying to get a new long-term contract out of the Steelers, but he’s also losing the respect of his teammates in the process.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are supposed to be coming into the 2018 NFL season as a legitimate Super Bowl contender. However, things aren’t looking too good in the Steel City right now, at least not when it comes to superstar running back Le’Veon Bell.
Bell is one of the most elite runners in the game, but he’s anxiously waiting for the Steelers to hand him a paycheck that re-endorses that fact. He has yet to report to the team, hoping that he can force their hand. But things are getting a little too close for comfort with this situation, as the Steelers kick off their season on Sunday in Cleveland and they are still without arguably the most important piece of their offense.
And quite frankly, some of his teammates are getting a little fed up with it, which is reasonable. One of those teammates is veteran offensive lineman Ramon Foster, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ed Bouchette.
“What do you do? Here’s a guy who doesn’t give a damn, I guess so we’ll treat it as such,” Foster said. “He’s making seven times what I make, twice as much as Al (Villanueva) is making and we’re the guys that do it for him.”
A few other notable Steelers players who have chimed in on their frustration with Bell is center Maurkice Pouncey and guard David DeCastro.
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
DeCastro on Bell -- "Just sit out the whole year then."
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) September 5, 2018
Bell has been with the Steelers since getting by them in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. In his five seasons, he’s been named to three Pro Bowls and is a two-time First-Team All-Pro.
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He definitely deserves to get paid like one of the best, but his reputation is starting to take a serious hit. Even if he does finally break the hold out and show up in time for Sunday’s game, it’s going to cause problems for Pittsburgh if everybody in their locker room is ticked off at him.
The 2018 season isn’t likely to get off to a good start for Steeler Nation.