March 2018 - Pittsburgh Steelers Wiretap

Ben Roethlisberger Cut Sugar, Carbs To Help Prolong Career

Jul 27, 2018 9:11 AM

In an effort to help prolong his playing career, Ben Roethlisberger cut sugar and carbs from his diet this offseason.

Roethlisberger, 36, worked with a personal trainer this summer.

"Knees, ankles, being lighter -- those are all positives when it comes to this age and playing football, where you're pounding on your knees and you've had a couple of knee surgeries," he said. "Anything you can do to lighten the load on your knees is important."

Roethlisberger confirmed he has lost weight but wouldn't reveal the number.

Jeremy Fowler/ESPN

Tags: Pittsburgh Steelers, Misc Rumor

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Mike Tomlin Done Answering Questions About Le'Veon Bell

Jul 26, 2018 8:53 AM

The Pittsburgh Steelers haven't signed Le'Veon Bell long-term and the running back remains away from the team.

Despite the drama, Mike Tomlin says he's moved on.

"I am focused on the guys that are here. My mentality regarding Le'Veon would be very similar to the way it was a year ago," Tomlin said. "Obviously both sides tried in earnest to get a deal done. We weren't able to do that. Now we transition and move forward to our 2018 season. When he gets here we will evaluate his overall readiness and how much time he missed and see the ramifications of that. Until then, I'm going to be extremely focused on those that are here working and their development. I just think that is appropriate."

Marc Sessler/NFL

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Pittsburgh's Offers To Le'Veon Bell Only Had $10M Guaranteed

Jul 18, 2018 7:46 AM

It was reported on Monday that the Pittsburgh Steelers' final offer to Le'Veon Bell was a five-year, $70 million deal.

A further report indicates that a $10 million signing bonus was the only fully guaranteed portion of the contract.

Under the reported deal, Bell stood to make $33 million over the first two years and $45 million over the first three years of the deal.

Ian Rapoport/NFL Network

Tags: Pittsburgh Steelers, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Steelers Reportedly Offered Le'Veon Bell A Five-Year, $70M Deal

Jul 17, 2018 10:09 AM

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Le'Veon Bell couldn't come to an agreement on a long-term deal before Monday's deadline and now the potential value of a deal has leaked.

Pittsburgh offered Bell a five-year, $70 million deal, according to a report. The deal would have paid out more than $30 million over two seasons, but the terms of the guarantees and signing bonus weren't reported.

Bell is slated to play for $14.5 million in 2018.

Ian Rapoport/NFL Network

Tags: Pittsburgh Steelers, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Agent: Le'Veon Bell Likely To Play Elsewhere In 2019

Jul 16, 2018 5:28 PM

Le'Veon Bell and the Pittsburgh Steelers were unable to agree upon a long-term deal before Monday's deadline.

Bell's agent predicts this will likely be his final season with the Steelers.

"His intention was to retire as a Steeler," Adisa Bakari told ESPN's Adam Schefter. "But now that there's no deal, the practical reality is, this now likely will be Le'Veon's last season as a Steeler."

Bell will play on the franchise tag for the second consecutive year barring an unforeseen development. He tweeted after Monday's deadline passed that "2018 will be my best season to date."

Bell always knew he could play out two franchise tags worth a combined $26.62 million and have a chance at true free agency as a 27-year-old in 2019, setting the stage for peers Todd Gurley and Ezekiel Elliott in future years.

Bell has used boxing and a vegan diet this offseason to stay in shape, holding off from most football exercises to keep his knees fresh.

 

Jeremy Fowler/ESPN

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Mike Tomlin Optimistic On Long-Term Deal For Le'Veon Bell

Jul 15, 2018 11:30 PM

Mike Tomlin remains optimistic about the possibility of the Pittsburgh Steelers agreeing upon a long-term deal with Le'Veon Bell.

"Obviously, we want to get a deal done, he wants to get a deal done. Everybody has said that," said Tomlin, who returns to his hometown of Hampton, Virginia, every summer for the camp. "Now it's just about the negotiators getting into a room and doing what it is they need to do. I'm excited and hopeful. Hopefully we'll have some exciting news before Monday."

Sources tell Adam Schefter that it will be challenging for Bell and the Steelers to reach agreement. 

Tomlin expressed similar optimism before last year's deadline, when the Steelers failed to sign Bell and didn't see him until training camp ended. Bell signed his $12.12 million tag on Sept. 4.

Jeremy Fowler/ESPN

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Jerome Bettis Urges Le'Veon Bell, Steelers To Work Things Out

Jul 5, 2018 10:16 AM

Jerome Bettis wants to see the Pittsburgh Steelers and Le'Veon Bell work out their long-term contract issues.

"Neither one of you are as good by yourself as you are together," Bettis said of the running back and his old team.

Bell refused Pittsburgh's multi-year deal a year ago and has yet to accept the team's best offer in 2018.

"Le'Veon, you're not going to be as good going somewhere else because they're not going to have the offensive line, they're not going to have the quarterback, the receivers that they have in Pittsburgh," Bettis said.

"You have a full complement around you that allows you to be as great as you want to be."

Mike Florio/Pro Football Talk

Tags: Pittsburgh Steelers, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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