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Pittsburgh Steelers: Imagine if Le’Veon Bell never skipped OTAs?

By Noah Strackbein

CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 10: Running back Le'Veon Bell #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers jumps over outside linebacker Jamie Collins #51 of the Cleveland Browns during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Steelers defeated the Browns 21-18. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 10: Running back Le'Veon Bell #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers jumps over outside linebacker Jamie Collins #51 of the Cleveland Browns during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Steelers defeated the Browns 21-18. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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The Pittsburgh Steelers’ lingering issue is signing Le’Veon Bell. But imagine if the running back never started complaining and showed up for OTA’s?

People say it’s the money that’s keeping Bell from inking a long-term deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Before that, it was his health concerns. But in the back of everyone’s heads, it’s known that Le’Veon Bell isn’t signed because he isn’t showing up.

The Bell, Steelers saga is losing traction. It seems that neither side really bothers to get anything done at this point. It’s still water waiting for August just to see how many times Bell can walk into Week 1 and be productive.

This offseason, reports started by claiming Bell was demanding somewhere near $17 million. Then, that number dropped to $15 million. Again, it has gone to 17, but through rumor not straight from the source itself.

But imagine this. Imagine if Bell just showed up. Not this offseason. Pittsburgh isn’t giving the Pro Bowl back any more money than his franchise tag in 2018.

Last year. When all of this started. When Pittsburgh was determined to get a contract done before the deadline. Before Bell started posting on Twitter or claiming his skipping out. What he just showed up and waited for his money?

The answer is simple – he’d already have it. He wouldn’t have gotten a deal done last July, but he’d certainly be first on the list this offseason.

Pittsburgh loves to work with those they believe wants to be there. For those who don’t express the same will to be a part of the team as they express in having them be there, they let them go. Bell’s talent makes him an exception, but with one simple strategical change in the timeline, he would’ve racked in his money this spring.

This team was willing to offer a $12 million contract worth $30 million in the first two years. Maybe that didn’t work at the time, but one summer of showing he wants to work something out and this summer easily could’ve been $15 million.

Next: 3 positions to focus on this summer

It’s all an attitude call for the Steelers. This orginization will replace anyone. Right now, you can’t replace Le’Veon Bell, and that’s why he’s still here. But if his approach to this entire situation was different, he would’ve been signed. All he had to do was show up.

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