Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers star running back still without contract 2 weeks before training camp

It's just two weeks out from the start of Steelers training camp and star running back Le’Veon Bell still hasn't signed a contract.

The big question is: Could he end up holding out?

Hines Ward once held out of camp in a contract dispute.

Channel 11 talked to Ward on Friday and asked him about Bell's waiting game.

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Ward said later he regretted it.

Now people are wondering if Bell may do the same.

He has until 4 p.m. Monday to reach a long-term deal with the Steelers under the franchise tag, which he hasn't signed.

If he doesn't sign it, he could hold out of training camp.

Hines Ward is at the American Century Championship Celebrity Golf Tournament in Lake Tahoe.

Channel 11 talked to him remotely and he said he sees both sides of the contract issue.

“Especially at the running back position, you want to get your money now because of the longevity of running backs. They don't last really long, so you've got to hit it when you're hot,” Ward said. “I think for Le’Veon Bell, he's done a lot, but at the same time he's had some major injuries, so (if) you look at it from both sides, you really understand.”

The team is looking forward to potentially having one of the best receiving tandems in the league, Martavis Bryant, back.

Antonio Brown's future was secured with the long-term contract the Steelers gave him in the offseason.

"I think the one thing that's missing on his resume is a Super Bowl and I think that should be the ultimate goal," Ward said about Brown. "Yes you got your huge payday, but now it's up to Antonio to become a leader and help Bryant and those guys help them become better."

Bryant is returning from a season-long suspension.

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Ward tells us he believes Bryant learned his lesson and he's expecting big things from the young receiver.

"You have to go back to the basics. You have to go to the fundamentals, to the passion you have for the game," Ward said. "I think for Martavis, if you go out there and apply all those things, I think he's going to have a Pro Bowl season."

The American Century Championship is on Channel 11 on Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m.

 

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