Last week, the Pittsburgh Steelers failed to reach a long-term contract with star running back Le’Veon Bell prior to the deadline. At the time, the team’s GM revealed that Bell will play under the Exclusive Franchise Tag designation this season, as they resume efforts to extend the baller’s contract after the season.
Many believe Bell will hold out and ditch the team’s training came on Thursday, as he is not obligated to show up until he signs the franchise tender. According to ESPN, Bell said that the team did not value him the same way he valued himself. However, one of his teammates decided to reach out to the baller to let him know how valuable he is to the team, despite the Steelers failed efforts to reach a long-term deal.
“We need him. I need him,” Antonio Brown told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler of Bell, revealing that he had a “top secret” two-hour conversation with Bell over the weekend. “If we’re going to do what we desire to do, we need every guy a part of the organization in a helmet to be there committed to the cause. He’s a special piece. Obviously, we know what he brings to the team, his dimension playing football, but he’s a special individual. I pray that we have him there.”
This season, Bell is expected to play under the franchise tag, reeling in $12.1 million in 2017 to become the highest paid tailback in 2017. In 2016, the baller rushed for 1,268 yards with seven touchdowns on 261 carries. He also became the first player in history to average 100 rushing yards and 50 receiving yards in the same season.
