Phase One of the Pittsburgh Steelers offseason program got underway earlier this week at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex and as expected, running back Le’Veon Bell is not present for and participating in it. If this is news to you, welcome back from your coma.
Bell, who has yet to sign the $14.544 million he received from the Steelers back in February, is currently training down in Miami just as he has the last several offseasons, according to a Wednesday report by Jeremy Fowler of espn.com.
While Bell is currently the only Steelers player we’ve heard about skipping Phase One of the offseason training program, it’s important to keep in mind that these sessions are not mandatory to attend for all players. Besides, Bell isn’t even under contract right now so he definitely isn’t expected to be in attendance this week. Is Bell the Steelers only no-show for Phase One? I definitely don’t know for sure but it wouldn’t be surprising if he was.
For now, the next important date on Bell’s personal calendar is July 16, as that’s the deadline this year for him to sign a long-term contract extension being as he was issued the franchise tag this year.
Until he signs a new deal or his franchise tag, don’t expect Bell to participate in any of the Steelers offseason program. Additionally, if he doesn’t sign a new deal by the July 16 deadline, you can count on him once again sitting out all of training camp and the preseason just as he did last year.
