Report: Steelers inquired about trading for Le’Veon Bell

The Pittsburgh Steelers had a contract dispute with Le’Veon Bell that spanned over two seasons and inspired the star running back to sit out all of 2018, but that does not mean they are opposed to Bell ever playing for the team again.

The Steelers initially feared that the shoulder injury James Conner suffered during Monday night’s game against the Miami Dolphins could be season-ending, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that they inquired about trading for Bell prior to Tuesday’s deadline. Pittsburgh also checked on the availability of other starting running backs, but they backed off after it was determined that Conner’s injury was not all that serious.

Bell said earlier in the week during the Uninterrupted “17 weeks” podcast that the Steelers were among the teams that discussed trading for him, and that was apparently accurate. Schefter also confirmed that the Houston Texans, Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs expressed interest, and they are three other teams that Bell mentioned.

Bell’s issues with the Steelers appeared to be mostly financial, so perhaps they wanted to bring him back now that New York has already paid a portion of Bell’s guaranteed money. Whatever the case, Bell remained with the Jets and has done and said all the right things this season.