Le’Veon Bell is starting to be a forgotten name in the Pittsburgh Steelers locker room.
After a tie with the Cleveland Browns, the city of Pittsburgh is focused on one things – how did the Steelers tie the Browns?
Ben Roethlisberger’s three interceptions, the conservative play calling through the end of the game, Artie Burns’ fourth quarter penalty. All thoughts that continue to wrap themselves around the minds of fans, and the team.
The one thing everyone isn’t thinking about, is Le’Veon Bell. Despite a tie, with the Browns, Pittsburgh learned quick they don’t need their holdout running back as much as they thought. Having him back would benefit them, yes, but not having him around isn’t hurting their chances of winning.
It’s already mid-week of Week 2 and Bell’s only headline is about a tweet he made on game day and a story of him being in a Miami club until all hours of the night.
In Pittsburgh, the only story that’s made news is his name being removed from the depth chart. Because, after seven months of tweets, songs and comments, the team has given up on him being a part of this franchise for the time being.
His name is quickly being forgotten, as it should. James Conner proved his worth in Week 1. The acceptance that Bell wouldn’t be around after the season set in by August. After Conner’s performance in Cleveland, that’s moved it’s way up to now.
None of this means Bell won’t be accepted once he returns. Whenever that time is, the Steelers will surely find a way for him to contribute.
But him believing this team cares if he’s on the field or not is all in his head. The team loves Conner, the coaches love Conner and the fans love Conner. Until he proves otherwise, people want No. 30 as their running back.
That won’t stop Bell from getting paid next offseason. Someone will hand him his $40 million guaranteed, and he’ll take the field in Week 1, next year.
Until then, he’s just a name that’s sitting out the season. As the weeks come and go, the story of Bell not showing will appear less. Eventually, people will begin making the comments, “I forgot he’s still playing.”
None of it takes away from his talent. He remains one of the best in football. But his circumstances in Pittsburgh make him a lot less important than he was last season. And therefore, he’ll continue to fade to nothing more than the player who’ll sign in 2019.