Le'Veon a prayer
by Greg Hillman
September 28th, 2018
by Greg Hillman
September 28th, 2018
The Pittsburgh Steelers have big shoes to fill in the absence of Le’Veon Bell. There was no doubt that Bell wouldn’t show up to training camp, but the question was: Would he be ready for week 1 at Cleveland? (I mean through 3 weeks he’s already given up 2.556 million.)
The Steelers turned to 2nd year RB James Conner who when asked, said, “He didn’t feel the pressure of replacing Bell.” Conner lived up to his expectations in Week 1 at Cleveland with 31 carries, 135 yards, and 2 touchdowns in his first career start. In week 2 he only had 8 carries for 17 yards (averaging 2.1 yards) 1 TD and 5 receptions. In week 3 against Tampa Bay he had 15 carries for 61 yards avgering 4.1 yards a carry. Although Conner came up big for the Steelers in week 1 (Which he needed to repeat in Week 2, but didn't and had a decent game against the Bucs), he may only start through weeks 4-6 (and it’s already week 4) mainly because Bell will probably want his money by then and there wouldn’t be a better time between weeks 4-6(but let's be honest, Bell won't show up till Week 10).
Aside from blowing a 14 point lead in the 4th quarter, in Week 1 and having a chance to win the game in OT, they couldn’t come through. (Then again neither did the Browns and they had a better chance than the Steelers which makes the tie look even worse for the Steelers.)
Bell can wait up till week 10 and be eligible for free agency in March, but will he hold up that long? Or will they Steelers trade him before that? Last season Bell had over 1200 yards, with 85 receptions and 9 TDs. In April, he tweeted out that “Steeler fans should be ready and that he can't wait till 9/9 Week 1. There has been controversy that he didn’t keep his promise and fans call him a liar.
Over the summer the team offered him over $70 million which guaranteed him at least 30 million for the 1st 2 years of his contract, but the offer was rejected by Bell via his agent. Both sides have commented.On July 16th Bell tweeted, “To all my Steeler fans, my desire always has been to retire a Steeler...both sides worked extremely hard today to make that happen, but the NFL is a hard business at times...to the fans that had hope, I’m sorry we let you down but trust me, 2018 will be my best season to date…” GM Kevin Colbert said, “We will again attempt to work out a long term contract with Le’veon in hope that he will continue his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers.” Both sides hope to come to an agreement but that seems almost impossible since Le’veon and his agent have both tweeted out that this will most likely be Bell’s last season in a Steeler uniform.
With Bell’s future in Pittsburgh in question what teams could pursue to acquire Bell this offseason. Teams that need a running back like him may not have the money to pay him though (And believe me what team wouldn’t want a running back in the slot) . Here are some teams that have the money for him and desperately need a running back other than the Steelers(Yes there will be AFC team(s)).
2. Indianapolis Colts
They’ve also started the same way at 1-2 after blowing a lead to the Bengals in week 1, cruising by the Redskins in week 2, and not showing up in Philly this past week.(Ok I know I said that I may only have one AFC team but none of the NFC teams really fit.) Interestingly the Colts actually have more salary cap room than the Jets, (18 million more if you want to be specific) but really never get their way when it comes to free agency. Signing Frank Gore was really just a way for him to “try” and win a super bowl. But with Gore leaving the Colts this off season they desperately need a running back. Their starting running back now is Marlon Mack who is in his 2nd year out of South Florida. Mack has just 10 carries and 34 yards and averaging 3.4 yards a carry and 0 touchdowns for the Colts through 2 weeks of the season(He was injured in week 3 at Philadelphia). With Andrew Luck back (and trust me he hasn't missed much) Bell could easily fit in with the Colts high flying offense right away. Bell could help turn the Colts back into a playoff contender and maybe even through their name in the hat for the division. The last time they won the division was in the 2014-15 season as the 4th seed in the playoffs. They went on to beat the Bengals (I know shocker right there huh) in the Wild Card and pulled off an unthinkable upset in the Divisional round against Peyton Manning and the Broncos before heading to Foxborough for the AFC Championship which we all know what happened there(deflategate incase that wasn’t clear). And it will be 12 years since they last won the Super Bowl in 2006 (Super Bowl 41) which Peyton Manning helped the Colts breeze past the Bears 29-17. Bell could help the Colts big time especially if they are willing to pay him and pay him big.
3./ Honorable Mention Pittsburgh Steelers.
(Wait what you put the Steelers down) Yes I did. There is a slight possibility that Bell resigns with the Steelers if their willing to pay a little extra to keep him in Pittsburgh. (And forget about the thing I said about NFL teams and just go with AFC teams.) But with James Connor lighting it up for the Steelers they may no longer need Bell. (But let’s be honest here he’s the best running back in the league with Todd Gurley.)
Will Bell resign with the Steelers? Only time will tell, but odds look better for the Steelers. If Bell wants to win a championship then the place to do it is Pittsburgh. Let’s face it the Jets will be decent in 2-3 years (give or take) and although the Colts may win the AFC South their not winning the Super Bowl anytime soon. If Bell resigns then people will be happy and mad at the same time. But as of Sunday (9/23) sources told ESPN reporter Adam Schefter that the Steelers were listing to trade offers from teams. And on Monday (9/24) they’ve received a couple offers. So maybe he’ll be gone sooner than later. But for now let’s hope he shows up in Week 10. Maybe it would be better for both sides if Bell leaves. I don’t know just a thought.
The Steelers turned to 2nd year RB James Conner who when asked, said, “He didn’t feel the pressure of replacing Bell.” Conner lived up to his expectations in Week 1 at Cleveland with 31 carries, 135 yards, and 2 touchdowns in his first career start. In week 2 he only had 8 carries for 17 yards (averaging 2.1 yards) 1 TD and 5 receptions. In week 3 against Tampa Bay he had 15 carries for 61 yards avgering 4.1 yards a carry. Although Conner came up big for the Steelers in week 1 (Which he needed to repeat in Week 2, but didn't and had a decent game against the Bucs), he may only start through weeks 4-6 (and it’s already week 4) mainly because Bell will probably want his money by then and there wouldn’t be a better time between weeks 4-6(but let's be honest, Bell won't show up till Week 10).
Aside from blowing a 14 point lead in the 4th quarter, in Week 1 and having a chance to win the game in OT, they couldn’t come through. (Then again neither did the Browns and they had a better chance than the Steelers which makes the tie look even worse for the Steelers.)
Bell can wait up till week 10 and be eligible for free agency in March, but will he hold up that long? Or will they Steelers trade him before that? Last season Bell had over 1200 yards, with 85 receptions and 9 TDs. In April, he tweeted out that “Steeler fans should be ready and that he can't wait till 9/9 Week 1. There has been controversy that he didn’t keep his promise and fans call him a liar.
Over the summer the team offered him over $70 million which guaranteed him at least 30 million for the 1st 2 years of his contract, but the offer was rejected by Bell via his agent. Both sides have commented.On July 16th Bell tweeted, “To all my Steeler fans, my desire always has been to retire a Steeler...both sides worked extremely hard today to make that happen, but the NFL is a hard business at times...to the fans that had hope, I’m sorry we let you down but trust me, 2018 will be my best season to date…” GM Kevin Colbert said, “We will again attempt to work out a long term contract with Le’veon in hope that he will continue his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers.” Both sides hope to come to an agreement but that seems almost impossible since Le’veon and his agent have both tweeted out that this will most likely be Bell’s last season in a Steeler uniform.
With Bell’s future in Pittsburgh in question what teams could pursue to acquire Bell this offseason. Teams that need a running back like him may not have the money to pay him though (And believe me what team wouldn’t want a running back in the slot) . Here are some teams that have the money for him and desperately need a running back other than the Steelers(Yes there will be AFC team(s)).
- New York Jets
2. Indianapolis Colts
They’ve also started the same way at 1-2 after blowing a lead to the Bengals in week 1, cruising by the Redskins in week 2, and not showing up in Philly this past week.(Ok I know I said that I may only have one AFC team but none of the NFC teams really fit.) Interestingly the Colts actually have more salary cap room than the Jets, (18 million more if you want to be specific) but really never get their way when it comes to free agency. Signing Frank Gore was really just a way for him to “try” and win a super bowl. But with Gore leaving the Colts this off season they desperately need a running back. Their starting running back now is Marlon Mack who is in his 2nd year out of South Florida. Mack has just 10 carries and 34 yards and averaging 3.4 yards a carry and 0 touchdowns for the Colts through 2 weeks of the season(He was injured in week 3 at Philadelphia). With Andrew Luck back (and trust me he hasn't missed much) Bell could easily fit in with the Colts high flying offense right away. Bell could help turn the Colts back into a playoff contender and maybe even through their name in the hat for the division. The last time they won the division was in the 2014-15 season as the 4th seed in the playoffs. They went on to beat the Bengals (I know shocker right there huh) in the Wild Card and pulled off an unthinkable upset in the Divisional round against Peyton Manning and the Broncos before heading to Foxborough for the AFC Championship which we all know what happened there(deflategate incase that wasn’t clear). And it will be 12 years since they last won the Super Bowl in 2006 (Super Bowl 41) which Peyton Manning helped the Colts breeze past the Bears 29-17. Bell could help the Colts big time especially if they are willing to pay him and pay him big.
3./ Honorable Mention Pittsburgh Steelers.
(Wait what you put the Steelers down) Yes I did. There is a slight possibility that Bell resigns with the Steelers if their willing to pay a little extra to keep him in Pittsburgh. (And forget about the thing I said about NFL teams and just go with AFC teams.) But with James Connor lighting it up for the Steelers they may no longer need Bell. (But let’s be honest here he’s the best running back in the league with Todd Gurley.)
Will Bell resign with the Steelers? Only time will tell, but odds look better for the Steelers. If Bell wants to win a championship then the place to do it is Pittsburgh. Let’s face it the Jets will be decent in 2-3 years (give or take) and although the Colts may win the AFC South their not winning the Super Bowl anytime soon. If Bell resigns then people will be happy and mad at the same time. But as of Sunday (9/23) sources told ESPN reporter Adam Schefter that the Steelers were listing to trade offers from teams. And on Monday (9/24) they’ve received a couple offers. So maybe he’ll be gone sooner than later. But for now let’s hope he shows up in Week 10. Maybe it would be better for both sides if Bell leaves. I don’t know just a thought.