Le’Veon Bell isn’t likely to show up for the start of Pittsburgh Steelers training camp on Thursday after not getting a new long-term contract last week.
Steelers star wide receiver Antonio Brown said he spoke to Bell on the phone for two hours Saturday night, and though the conversation was “top secret,” Brown emphasized how necessary Bell was to their offense.
Last season Bell became the first player in NFL history to average at least 100 rushing yards and 50 receiving yards per game for a season. He averaged 157 total yards per game, which if he kept it up over 16 games, would break the single-season total yardage record. He’s a foundational part of the offense, and the Steelers need him in camp.
“We need him. I need him,” Brown said. “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.”
Bell hasn’t signed his $12.12 million franchise tender, which means he’s not subject to fines if he doesn’t show up for camp.
Brown is also pushing the Steelers, in his own way, to pay Bell and keep him happy.
