Time To Cut Le'Veon Bell

I think most Steeler's fans would agree that Kevin Colbert, and Mike Tomlin made a big mistake by not trying to trade Le'Veon Bell for they could have gotten as soon as they realized that they were not going to be able to sign him. The fact that they let this go this far is unacceptable. As it stands now, Le'veon Bell is a cancer on this team, this organization, and this city. The way that the Steelers are accepting the fact that he missed the entire training camp, and may not show up for most of the season, and are still willing to work with him, is nothing short of ridiculous. This is unheard of. At this point, the Steelers need to cut Le'veon Bell and move on. Maybe they could pick up another veteran running back somewhere that can help the team. The Steelers should have known better. Winning teams must stay one step ahead of the game.

 

Cutting him would be dumb. Keep him and then get something for him in the off-season.

 

Absolutely can't cut him, they will get a 3rd round compensatory pick when he leaves as FA after the season at least.

 

The distraction of keeping him is not worth a 3rd. round comp pick .. If we allow this situation to continue then Bell will derail another season .

 

I think the team is ready to just move on. Now that they know he isn't showing up I think he becomes less of a distraction. If anything he is a rallying cry for the offense to show they don't need him. I expect a highly motivated o-line. They want to show it is as much them as Bell.

 

Who was it on this board that said the Steelers never make mistakes?

 

Isn't there a way to trade him still?

 

Once he signs the franchise tag yes I believe so. But until then he has the leverage. He could agree to sign it if the Steelers trade him to team X.

 

Glenn

 

Then what happens week 10 when he comes back ? Do they just bench Conner ? Do they pay Bell 900 k to sit on the bench ? How does the different running styles effect the blocking and play calling ?

So to really move on this Team needs to let him go and really move on...Better for the play caller, better for the OL and better for Conner...

 

And let him win? Nah, screw that. Ride pine and don’t collect any money for all we care. If he wants to sit out the whole year, so be it. Under no circumstances should we rescind the tag. Trade him if there’s an offer worth taking (doubt it), but stay the course and see what happens is the best plan

 

What a mess.

 

If he shows up week 10 what they do depends on the state of the team at that time. If Conner is healthy and running great then you use Bell as a backup. Instant depth infusion. Given how depleted our RBs have been in several recent playoffs I am perfectly fine with adding a fresh Bell that late in the season. If Conner is dinged or wearing down or simply not what we all hope then you work Bell back in as the starter. In no way do you do anything punitive to Bell at the expense of the team. And all the teammates complaining now will welcome Bell back with open arms if they think he can help them win.

 

Those Team Mates will not welcome him back ..They don't trust him ...He wasn't willing to put his hand in the pile and strive towards a common goal ....Footbll is always a dig deep type of game , always half time speeches about those hot 2 a days all the hard work and dedication during practice and preseason. This is the work that gets you over the top more times than not ...The players know Bell was out getting his pole licked by strippers while they where in the heat putting in the work ..

If this Team wants Team unity later they need to get this Bell crap out of the way ASAP....

 

I've never ever seen players criticize another player on their own team for holding out. I could be wrong but I dont remember it. It's time to cut bait this will not work.

 

Hell no. He's pissing me off, but you don't cut this kind of talent. Not even the Steelers do it.

 

Football is a business and this is a business decision by Bell. Yea he is a scumbag, but by not showing up he is within the guidelines of the NFL agreements. He is trying to get the most money he can and I cannot blame him for that but his way of doing it just divides him from his team mates, so he probably will never fit in again with this team and that is not good now or for the rest of the season. What a mess, to bad the front office with all their experience could not work out something better that this. On a personal level for him, what an easy way to make 14 mill, just sit back, not play any football, play with some fat ass in a strip joint and collect the big bucks.

 

Steelers stood behind his ass TWICE during drug suspensions...AND offered him ( at the time ) almost 2X the money of the next highest paid RB...And nobody is suppose to be pissed at him? He's waiting for what he's worth? **** that!

 

he is done in Pittsburgh. he will come in when he choses. he will sign his tag. then the steelers can screw the **** out of him. trade him to Detroit or Washington. somewhere he will get knocked around. he has burnt to many bridges here. let him go. he isn't worth it

 

I disagree about how his teammates will react if he comes in and is ready to play. I truly believe they will welcome him back. They all want to win and if he can help them do that then they will be glad to have him.

 

What team cut a hof caliber player due to drug suspensions? Stop mentioning that like pitt did something no one else would have.

 

I get the sentiment of being angry at Bell for holding out. Both the fans perspective and the players perspective. For those of you wanting to just drop him now though you're talking crazy. The only thing that could do for us is free up money this year. Which we don't need last time I checked. Secondly the Steelers can't do anything to or for Bell until he signs the franchise tag contract. Meaning no possible increase of the tag for this year (btw highly unlikely this would have happened anyway), no trading him away for any compensation. To the group that wants to trade Bell, any team actually willing to trade for him wouldn't be giving up anything. As he has been tagged no team can negotiate with him till 3/11/19, for the team that does have his rights they can start a new contract negotiation on 12/31/18. So that would be the only incentive for a team to trade for him which isn't a whole lot better considering what they should have to give up. Final option is to let him be and let him come in whenever he feels like he should. When he does come back you get him game ready. If JC is having a great year at the time you work Bell in when you can. If JC ishaving a mediocre year then you get Bell up to being the #1 as soon as you can. The only thing we'll likely get is a 3rd rnd comp pick at the end of the year but that is better than nothing at all.
So at this point if Bell does hold out till week 10, he obviously won't be meshing well with the team.

 

Conner will have a good year as long as he stays healthy. If Conner is averaging 90+ yards a game after 8 games... what Bell does is moot. Steelers will have their RB of the present and future.