How can the Steelers ever take Le’Veon Bell back?

As the countdown to the 2018 NFL season continues, the most perplexing story is being written by the Pittsburgh Steelers and their all-pro running back. Le’Veon Bell has refused to sign a franchise tag that would pay him $14.5 million to play this season. That’s right, 14.5 million.

But Bell, according to his agent, thinks he is worth more in the long run. Bell made $12.12 million last season after signing the franchise tag tender and carried or caught the ball 406 times for the Steelers. He has refused to show up at training camp, and with each missed week he forfeits $853,000 of his salary.

Some of the Steelers thought he would return Wednesday for the first official practice before the opening game Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. Now, most of the players are angry and are speaking out.

“He screwed us,” one said.

In the ultimate team sport, we’ve created a league of individuals,” another said.

“If you don’t want to be here, it is what it is,” said a third, “so hold out for 10 weeks.”

Bell can become a free agent in 2019 if he signs his tender before week 11 of the season. But by then, how can the team take back a player who has put his future ahead of its present? In the complicated pay structure of pro football, it is hard to side with someone who won’t play for $14 million because he thinks he can get more from another team.

At 26, Bell may still be in his prime, and his agent is gambling that some other pro franchise will disregard his selfishness of this season to pay him what he wants next year.

Pittsburgh is a tough town with unforgiving fans. Should Bell change his mind and return next week, he won’t be welcomed back by most of his teammates and will have to prove his worth all over again.

And he isn’t even trade bait. What other team would pick up the franchise tag of a player who let down his old teammates? Don’t expect to see Le’Veon Bell at all in 2018.

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