Le’Veon Bell’s comments and eventual return leave questions for Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a running back in James Conner. Come Week 7, they’re going to have two, and need to figure out what they’re going to do about it.

Le’Veon Bell is coming back – hopefully. According to Jeremy Fowler, the running back will finally return to the Pittsburgh Steelers locker room during the team’s bye week. His first official game will be Week 8 against the Cleveland Browns.

But four weeks through the regular season, second-year back James Conner has played well. Not to the level of Le’Veon Bell, but sound enough to make the offense productive.

So, when Bell returns, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a dilemma on their hands. Maybe it isn’t as difficult as whether or not to start Bell. Seriously speaking, if Bell is around he’s starting. Unless he isn’t in football shape, which you shouldn’t assume until you see.

But they need to figure out what to do with Conner. By no means should Bell’s return hinder the production of Conner. He’s struggled on the ground the last three games. 97 yards in three weeks, despite low rushing attempts, is still an issue for an offense.

Realistically, Bell solves the ground game, but Conner should continue to see the ball. How they split carries should be somewhere near a 65-35 balance. Bell receives the bulk of the workload but Conner gets enough touches to impact the game.

Then, comes to issue of earning the team’s trust back. According to Fowler, Bell plans to talk to his offense about why he sat out. To talk to whoever wants to speak about how he was saving his health for a long-term deal.

The injury to Earl Thomas has opened the eyes of plenty of players, fans and coaches around the league. These players deserve their money, and Bell is simply fighting to attain the paycheck he’s earned.

Lastly, is the issue of whether or not to trade him. Bell is worth a lot in the NFL. A team with enough cap space to pay Bell’s tag, and who believes they have a chance at resigning the running back next offseason.

Pittsburgh is looking for a “good player” and a second-round pick for Bell. There are some teams who will be willing to make this move happen, but even if there isn’t, the Steelers need to consider trading Bell.

At the end of this season, Bell is leaving Pittsburgh. After two years of failed contract negotiations, the thought that Bell will remain a Steeler is far fetched. Which leaves the question – do the Steelers trade him just to receive something or hold on until the end of the season and lose him for nothing?

Pittsburgh has two weeks to figure out a very interesting situation. Bell is still a superstar. But there are issues between the two sides. Which leaves plenty of questions, and loads of decisions to make before Week 8.