Will Veon Bell play for the Steelers in Week 1? Here's why it's not great



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The Pittsburgh Steelers' attack is at its best when The Veon Bell is on the ground and does something with his deadly receiver. A problem for the Steelers as they prepare for their game of Week 1 against the Browns: Bell is not back with the team on Wednesday morning.

So, will he play in the first week? In fact, it's rather dubious right now.

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Back this off season, Bell promised fans of Steelers that he would go big this year, but that he would not show up until week 1 unless he got a new contract from Pittsburgh.

Week 1 arrived and Bell did not show up. GM Kevin Colbert on Monday issued a statement saying The team was "disappointed" that Bell decided not to join his teammates and / or not to sign his franchise offer. Bell was silent on the radio during the weekend and during the holidays – many said Wednesday's meetings and practices were an inflection point for his availability during week 1.

Well, Wednesday is here and Bell is not there.

Here is a theory for you: Bell saw Khalil Mack being traded this weekend AND having landed a huge contract with the Bears and decided that it would be in his interest to stay a little further from the Steelers and see at least exchange it, or if other teams would contact the Steelers to try to land Bell. The situation is more complex because Bell is not under contract, but if two teams set up compensation for the trade and the Bell team goes to work with the running back, he could sign his contract and be shipped. . And it's even more complicated because in theory, his new team would only be able to sign a contract with him that's after the season because of the franchise tag rules. There should be a lot of wink / wink chords, maybe too much for something to happen.

Or maybe Bell realizes that the Steelers are going to throw him into the ground this year and staying away for one (or more?) Games, he can actually cut down nearly 50 shipments and tear his body up for the complete season. If he succeeds 370 to 400 times the ball this year, the teams will be more anxious to lock him up.

Only a bit of food for thought.

Whatever the case may be, Bell's teammates are increasingly pessimistic about his arrival.

Well, the end game of Bell is GET PAID. We know that. Maybe his move here is simple: he knows that he can not get a new Steelers contract during the off season and that he does not want to be beaten.

Maybe he wants to put pressure on the Steelers and force them to play James Conner and Jaylen Samuels. If the offensive is struggling to separate from Bell, people will absolutely panic about the absence of Bell. Public pressure often dictates the behavior of the NFL teams and, although it is unlikely that it will significantly affect what the Steelers are doing, it will not be fun to deceive a bad attack with the best return. to pay for it.

Bell could also just understand if it comes late Thursday or Friday or even Saturday, it will be too late for the Steelers to incorporate it into the game plan, which means they may have to be the pay to sit and watch the team. play in week 1. That does not seem like a terrible idea either.

It could be the best of both worlds for Bell.

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