Le’Veon Bell has given no indication that he plans to report to the Pittsburgh Steelers before Week 10, so it should come as little surprise that the team is entertaining the idea of trading the star running back.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Steelers have begun listening to trade offers for Bell.
Steelers now listening to trade offers for RB Le’Veon Bell, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 23, 2018
Bell is forfeiting nearly $1 million per week in salary by not showing up for work, and he seems committed to limiting his injury exposure with free agency looming. If the Steelers can find a team that is willing to trade for Bell and commit to signing him to a long-term extension, a deal might make sense for both sides.
In addition to having a bad relationship with Pittsburgh’s front office, Bell has also fallen out of the good graces of some of his teammates. He sent a cryptic tweet early Sunday morning that may have been related to his ongoing holdout.
The deadline to make trades in the NFL is Oct. 30. Bell will have to sign his franchise tender in order to play this season, meaning he cannot technically sign a long-term extension with any team until after the season. However, there could be a scenario where the Steelers find a trade partner that can work out a handshake agreement with Bell.
