When the Pittsburgh Steelers opened the 2018 season, Le’Veon Bell sat atop the depth chart at running back, even though he had not signed his franchise tag or been seen at team facilities all offseason. Come Week 2, Bell had been removed from the depth chart, but remained on the roster list and other associated team media. As the Steelers head into Week 3, his name has now been removed from all team sheets entirely.
A week after #Steelers removed Le'Veon Bell from their depth chart, they now removed him from their rosters -- alphabetical, numerical, positional, experience -- on their official game release leading up to Monday's game. Bell has yet to sign his franchise tag. @TheAthleticPGH
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) September 19, 2018
While Mike Tomlin is often prone to downplaying the significance of the depth chart, the symbolic purging of Bell’s name from the roster list is still notable. Clearly done at the direction of someone senior in the organization, it is hard not to view this move as some sort of commentary about the team’s faith in when he might return to Pittsburgh.
If the Steelers are trying to send Bell a subtle message with their gradual removal of his name from all the various team sheets, it is highly doubtful he noticed or cared. With Pittsburgh in turmoil having gone winless over the first two games of the season, the Steelers star running back has been enjoy the club scene in Miami.
To date, Bell has forfeited $1,711,058.83 in salary so far this year, a total that will climb to $2,566,588.24 by Saturday at 4 p.m. ET when he has failed to report once again.