According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Pittsburgh Steelers have begun listening to trade offers from NFL teams inquiring about Le'Veon Bell. The star running back, refused a franchise tender and hasn't budged from his home state since the end of last season. Bell has now forfeited three week's pay, at a rate of $852,941 per week, but is choosing to bank on his next NFL contract rather yield to Steelers' demands or risk injury.
Bell has been seen enjoying his time away from the team. Pictures floating around the web depict him in an array of leisurely positions: on jet skis, on a yacht and at a nightclub for the launch of his debut rap record. The rap album I speak of happened to include a well-aimed dig at LeSean McCoy for his spotty domestic record off the field.
Although he can't be forced to sign the franchise tender, the Steeler's maintain his negotiating rights unless they deactivate the clause. Otherwise, Bell will be sidelined until his free agent window reopens in 2019. The Le'Veon Bell saga has become a distraction to the team, so unless a deal can be reached on the open market, I would assume the Steelers would at some point consider releasing a definitive statement enveloping their intentions for the season, start to finish.