Colby Sherwin, Sports Editor
Le’veon Bell is one of the strongest running backs in the NFL. He contributes many skills to the Pittsburgh Steelers, including that he can catch like a receiver. Therefore, when his contract ended, he wanted to be paid for two positions instead of one as a result.
However, Bell is going about this all wrong. If he wanted to get paid, he should have done what New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. did: Beckham worked out all throughout the offseason, not posting anything on social media. As a result, he will be getting paid $90 million for the next five years.
With Bell sitting out of games and not working out, he is not helping himself (or the team). If he went to training camp and all of the games, he could have gotten a five year $110 million contract, according to CBS Sports. This would make him the highest paid running back in the NFL. Instead, he did his own thing and hurt his team, causing tension with his offensive line. I thought the Steelers got rid of the drama when they traded Martavis Bryant, but this has since proven to be wrong.
Right now, the Steelers have a great back-up plan for running back, former Pittsburgh Panthers player James Conner. He was drafted in the third round of the NFL draft last year and has done really well through this point in the season.
The Steelers just beat the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday Oct. 7 in a 41-17 victory. A key component of the game was James Conner, as he had 110 rushing yards with two touchdowns, he also had 4 catches for 75 receiving yards in the win.
Bell is acting like the Steelers need him and that they will not win otherwise, but what this last game showed is that the team can win regardless of his presence. I think right now this team can make the playoffs, but the defense needs to be better.
Bell was also reported to have turned down a $70 million fully guaranteed contract, which would have made him the highest-paid running back in NFL history.
According to ESPN NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler, Bell has stated that he will be back in week seven of the season, giving Pittsburgh one week to trade him, since the trade deadline in the NFL occurs on week eight. I think the Steelers should trade Bell for future draft picks and a younger player.
Le’veon Bell has shown he can be one of the best players the NFL has ever seen, but since he has hurt his team, the franchise and the money they have, it is time to trade him and get some good pieces for the next few years.