ESPN’s Bold Predictions have the Steelers losing two key offensive playmakers this offseason

The Pittsburgh Steelers once boasted the moniker the ‘Killer B’s’. This was representative of the following players:

Ben Roethlisberger
Le’Veon Bell
Antonio Brown
Chris Boswell
Martavis Bryant

When you look at where things have gone since the 2014 season, let’s go over the list again and talk about where we are now, entering the 2019 offseason.

Ben Roethlisberger — Awaiting a contract extension
Le’Veon Bell — Awaiting Free Agency
Antonio Brown — Hoping to be traded
Chris Boswell — Hoping to just keep his job
Martavis Bryant — Out of the league after being traded to the Raiders and then being suspended again.

It is hard to believe there is a chance the Steelers go into 2019 with a ‘Killer B’, and that standing for only Ben Roethlisberger.

As Bell and Brown await their fates this offseason, both situations being so different in many ways, ESPN recently produced a ‘Bold Prediction’ article which gave some predictions as to where Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown will play next season.

Take a look at what they think...

Antonio Brown will lead the league in receptions with the San Francisco 49ers

The odds strongly favor Pittsburgh trading Brown this offseason. Releasing him would allow a conference rival like Baltimore or New England to get him, and that’s not in the Steelers’ interests at all. So shipping him off to an NFC West team makes more sense. San Francisco has the cap space to give Brown a new contract if he wants one, and there’s no doubt Brown knows all about what Julio Jones did in Atlanta two years ago as the No. 1 wide receiver in a Kyle Shanahan offense.

If you follow Brown on social media, and read headlines, you know this is an outcome which could be seen as obvious. Brown has figuratively flirted with 49ers players on social media, and Jerry Rice has been very active in regards to his efforts to recruit Brown to the Bay area.

While predicting Brown to be traded to an NFC team isn’t out of the picture, Brown’s recent issues off the field, combined with what the Steelers feel is a legitimate return for the All-Pro player, would strongly limit the suitors for No. 84.

What about Bell? Here is where they think he will play in 2019...

The Texans will sign Le’Veon Bell to a deal that eclipses Todd Gurley’s

Bell didn’t just sit out a whole season to take a penny less than the four-year, $57.5 million contract Gurley signed with the Rams last summer. And in spite of that missed season, Bell will have a market for his services. The Jets, 49ers and Texans are all in it, but Houston wins out by selling Bell on what he can do in an offense that features Deshaun Watson at quarterback and DeAndre Hopkins at wide receiver.

The Texans must -- and likely will -- address the offensive line in free agency and the draft. But Bell is what my colleague Bill Polian calls a “BYOB” back (bring your own blocking). He can help elevate the Texans’ offense to where it needs to be to compete for an AFC title.

The Texans won’t be the only players in the Bell sweepstakes, but you can imagine how Bell could be drawn to them. A playoff team this year, and plenty of offensive weapons already there...it seems as if Bell could be a very big final piece to the Texans’ puzzle. This doesn’t guarantee it will necessarily work out, but it would certainly look good on paper.

The New York Jets have also voiced some reported interest in Bell, but other reports have said the team isn’t prepared to break the bank to bring Bell’s talents to the Big Apple.

Where will these players end up? Only time will tell, and it seems more and more unlikely these two players will ever don the black-and-gold again. Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comment section below, and be sure to stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as the offseason drags on.