http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26314002/bell-roethlisberger-wants-win-way
PITTSBURGH -- Now that he's a New York Jet, Le'Veon Bell can take stock of his five seasons with the Steelers -- and his former quarterback.
In recent interviews with ESPN and Sports Illustrated, Bell assessed his experience with Ben Roethlisberger, who was the subject of Antonio Brown's criticism before the Steelers traded Brown to the Oakland Raiders.
Bell said in the SI interview that Roethlisberger's presence wasn't the only factor in his wanting to leave but that "yes, it was a factor." Bell added that he wished he'd had a "more open, more genuine, more real" relationship with the quarterback.
The Steelers have never had a losing season in Roethlisberger's 15 seasons but struggled down the stretch in 2018, missing the playoffs after losing their last four games by a total of nine points.
Bell touched the ball 406 times in the Steelers' offense in 2017 and was routinely the second-most targeted player in the passing game behind Brown.
Tyson Alualu said "his play and his leadership speaks for itself," and general manager Kevin Colbert called Roethlisberger the "unquestioned leader" of the team.
Bell hasn't spoken to Roethlisberger since his holdout, during which Bell almost reported multiple times, he told ESPN. He planned to report before the Week 8 matchup with the Cleveland Browns but stayed away after learning new information about the franchise tag and his pending free agency. He came into town during Week 10 and said he nearly made the drive to the facility.
In his SI interview, Bell said his original plan for 2018 was just to miss training camp, but then it evolved to skipping just one week, then to not feeling "comfortable" with the situation.
Roethlisberger stayed diplomatic throughout the process, saying he was concerned only about the players inside the Steelers' locker room.
Bell knows his holdout angered the Steelers, which might explain why he heard from just a couple of ex-teammates after his Jets signing: Brown, who tried to recruit him to Oakland, and free-agent receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey.
"I do plan to talk to Coach T at some point," Bell said.
PITTSBURGH -- Now that he's a New York Jet, Le'Veon Bell can take stock of his five seasons with the Steelers -- and his former quarterback.
In recent interviews with ESPN and Sports Illustrated, Bell assessed his experience with Ben Roethlisberger, who was the subject of Antonio Brown's criticism before the Steelers traded Brown to the Oakland Raiders.
- Widely criticized for sitting out last season and overplaying his negotiating hand as he entered free agency, running back Le'Veon Bell claimed Thursday night that he had no regrets, saying he landed a "beautiful deal" with the New York Jets.
Bell said in the SI interview that Roethlisberger's presence wasn't the only factor in his wanting to leave but that "yes, it was a factor." Bell added that he wished he'd had a "more open, more genuine, more real" relationship with the quarterback.
The Steelers have never had a losing season in Roethlisberger's 15 seasons but struggled down the stretch in 2018, missing the playoffs after losing their last four games by a total of nine points.
Bell touched the ball 406 times in the Steelers' offense in 2017 and was routinely the second-most targeted player in the passing game behind Brown.
Tyson Alualu said "his play and his leadership speaks for itself," and general manager Kevin Colbert called Roethlisberger the "unquestioned leader" of the team.
Bell hasn't spoken to Roethlisberger since his holdout, during which Bell almost reported multiple times, he told ESPN. He planned to report before the Week 8 matchup with the Cleveland Browns but stayed away after learning new information about the franchise tag and his pending free agency. He came into town during Week 10 and said he nearly made the drive to the facility.
In his SI interview, Bell said his original plan for 2018 was just to miss training camp, but then it evolved to skipping just one week, then to not feeling "comfortable" with the situation.
Roethlisberger stayed diplomatic throughout the process, saying he was concerned only about the players inside the Steelers' locker room.
Bell knows his holdout angered the Steelers, which might explain why he heard from just a couple of ex-teammates after his Jets signing: Brown, who tried to recruit him to Oakland, and free-agent receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey.
"I do plan to talk to Coach T at some point," Bell said.
