LeVeon Bell has been holding out since the start of training camp. He has told sources that he plans to report to the Steelers during the week 7 bye week.
Obviously he wants a multi year deal with as much guaranteed money as possible. (While NFL contracts are never fully guaranteed, great players often are awarded up to tens of millions of dollars of guaranteed money.)
He has forfeited over $800 000 For each game that he has sat out. Running backs usually have short careers, and he is a top level running back. He has had some off field issues and often a poor attitude. The Steelers do not want to heavily invest in someone who they deem as ‘selfish’ and a ‘distraction’.
For what it’s worth, his patient running style is a joy to watch and he is a very unique and versatile back. He wants a multi year contract, and there is a good chance that he will be traded before his presumed week 7 return.
His holdout May have a happy ending(at least in the long term financially), but this really hurts his reputation with his teammates. His offensive line seems to have turned on him, and his replacement, James Connor, while not nearly as talented played college ball at Pitt and is a cancer survivor.
Only time will tell how the Bell saga will turn out.
Earl Thomas also held out training camp this year, but his season ended catastrophically. I wrote a list about it here.
https://steemit.com/sports/@newcastle/the-problem-with-nfl-contracts-now-has-a-textbook-example
Image is from the NFL
I do not think there will be a trade before he returns. I personally think he will come back and get right to work. The reason AB has not had any real success this season is because defenses haven't had to worry about Bell which leaves room for double and triple coverage on AB while Ben plays dink and dunk with JuJu and Conner. I for one hope Bell rips it up and leaves Management no option but to pay him his worth.
Nice insights. I could see the Steelers going on a huge run in the second half of the season. I’m a bengals fan though, so I’m glad that for once the Steelers look vulnerable.