We're nearly halfway through the 2018 NFL season, and Le'Veon Bell is nowhere to be seen. Despite a report from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that Bell was "expected" to report to the Pittsburgh Steelers during the team's bye week, the three-time Pro Bowl running back continues his holdout as he looks for a contract extension, instead of running the risk of jeopardizing his career, and taking the one-year franchise tag for the second year in a row.
With both sides remaining at an impasse, Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster tried to help resolve their financial differences by buying over 100 Mega Millions tickets with the hopes of winning the $1.537 billion prize, and using a portion of that money towards Bell's new extension. He didn't win.Â
Since Smith-Schuster's Mega Millions plan didn't work out, the Steelers have to settle back into reality, and figure out what they're going to do about Bell. Steelers owner Art Rooney II told NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport that he doesn't expect Le'Veon to be dealt prior to the October trade deadline. "I expect him to be a member of the team going forward," Rooney said. "That's my expectation."Â
The Steelers currently sit atop the AFC North with a 3-2-1 record, as the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens remain within striking distance at 4-3.Â
