The Pittsburgh Steelers Are Rusting Away
AB Seeing His Way Outta the Steel City
What the hell is wrong with the Pittsburgh Steelers? Once known for an aggressive defense and the trio of QB Ben Roethlisberger, WR Antonio Brown, and RB Le’Veon Bell, the Steelers are winless. The losing is bad enough, but there’s more drama in the Steel City than on the Real Housewives. Le’Veon Bell is riding jet skis and holding out for a long-term contract. Roethlisberger is struggling on the field and shows up in the new Stormy Daniels tell-all book. Lastly, Antonio Brown is throwing tantrums on the sidelines and failing to show up to work on Monday. Drama, drama, and more drama.
Antonio Brown in Fichtner’s face. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/dIIMZvL51s
— BlitzburghVideos ✨ (@BlitzVideos) September 16, 2018
Is Bell Worth Big Money?
Le’Veon Bell thinks he’s worth big dollars. The problem is–the Steelers disagree. For the second year in a row, Pittsburgh placed the franchise tag on their All-Pro running back. And for the second year in a row, Bell has refused to sign his tender. He’s forfeited a guaranteed base salary of $14.5 because he wants a multi-year contract worth at least $17 million annually.
It’s hard to argue against Bell’s salary proposal. He’s a rare every-down back who a deadly pass catcher. Over the past three seasons, he’s accounted for nearly one-third of the Steelers offense. That’s why he wants to earn the same annual salary as his teammate Antonio Brown. Too bad the Steelers already gave Roethlisberger a five-year contract worth $20 million a year in 2015.
Teammates typically support each other during salary negotiations, but veterans in the Steelers locker room are apparently fed up with Bell’s absence from the team. Offensive lineman Ramon Foster told reporters on September 5:
Steelers teammates not happy with Le’Veon Bell no show, led by vet G Ramon Foster, their player rep:
“What do you do? here’s a guy who doesn’t give a damn, I guess so we’ll treatit as such. I just hate it came to this. “— Ed Bouchette (@EdBouchette) September 5, 2018
The Locker Room Has Sprung Leaks
The Steelers, under the direction of HC Mike Tomlin, are falling apart at the seams. Roethlisberger has openly speculated about retiring during the past two training camps. Bell is a malcontent and now Antonio Brown is upset he isn’t getting the ball enough. What a mess.
Brown was seen arguing with teammates on the sidelines during Sunday’s loss to the Chiefs. Then, he took to Twitter to clap back at one of his critics. Ryan Scarpino, a Steelers fan who worked on the team’s PR department posted Brown should feel lucky he’s on a team with Big Ben at quarterback. AB’s response was:
https://twitter.com/AB84/status/1041710739642376193
Tomlin, who’s considered a player’s coach, needs to take control of his team and right the ship. No more chirping about other players on social media and for Christ sakes–fix the defense. The Steel Curtain gave up 21 points to the 0-16 Browns and 42 points to the Kansas City Chiefs.