We just wrote about Art Rooney II”s comments of not having a timetable on getting a long-term deal done with Le’Veon Bell. Antonio Brown has been down that road, waiting until yesterday to get his contract signed. Speaking with ESPN’s Trey Wingo this afternoon, Brown gave Bell a simple message.
Patience.
“I’d tell him do the right thing,” he told Wingo. “Do what’s right for his family. Trust the Rooney’s. It’s a first class organization, they’ll always be straight forward. Communicate with them not only through your representation but among themselves. They do right by their players. Just trust the process.”
For the immaturity and criticism Brown showed and received during the season, some of which was absolutely warranted, he handled his contract difficulties as well as anyone, especially for a receiver with a diva reputation. There were no holdouts, no standoffs, not much of anything said publicly about the contract situation and certainly nothing negative. Heck, even Hines Ward held out and he’s revered around Pittsburgh, more so than Brown.
Bell would be wise, and I assume he will, to follow a similar course. It’s clear the Steelers want to get a long-term deal done with him to officially lock up the league’s best receiver and running back at the same time.
The Steelers and Bell’s agents will have until July 15th to workout a long-term contract, the deadline for franchised players.
In the interview, Brown again praised the Rooney’s for treating him right throughout the process.
“Art and Dan Rooney were honest with me. A man of their words. I knew when they gave me their words, it would be golden.”
