Report: Bell likely to sit out entire season
All-Pro running back Le'Veon Bell is unlikely to report to the Pittsburgh Steelers by Tuesday's deadline, making him ineligible to play the remainder of the season, league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The saga between Bell and Pittsburgh has taken plenty of twists over the last two years but this one would be stunning, considering what the 26-year-old tweeted in July.
to all my Steeler fans, my desire always has been to retire a Steeler...both sides worked extremely hard today to make that happen, but the NFL is a hard business at times...to the fans that had hope, I’m sorry we let youu down but trust me, 2018 will be my best season to date...
— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) July 16, 2018
Bell, to his chagrin, received the franchise tag from Pittsburgh two years in a row, preventing him from becoming a free agent. The increase in cost to tag a player in consecutive years makes it extremely unlikely the Steelers would go that route again in 2019.
Steelers owner Art Rooney said Thursday he was expecting Bell to show up by the deadline for franchise tagged players to sign their tenders. Bell was also spotted at an LA Fitness in Pittsburgh a few days earlier, leading to speculation that he could be ready to rejoin the Steelers.
Bell, a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro in five years with the Steelers, rushed for 1,291 yards and nine touchdowns last season.