While Pittsburgh Steelers teammates and fans are divided on the issue of its star running back Le'Veon Bell holding out on signing a contract reportedly worth $14.5 million, one player on the offense has announced his support for the player.
The team's wide receiver Antonio Brown took to Instagram to declare he's behind his huddle pal all the way. "We all we got, we all we need," posted Brown, adding the shot of the two during an NFL game. "Ready to roll whenever you get back with us, family."
Brown's remarks received more than a quarter-million likes since its posting on Thursday, with comments getting mixed reactions. Detractors responded by stating that Bell's asking way too much, with some respondents pointing out the star stands to lose $850,000 for every game he doesn't play. Bell's supporters point the finger at the Steelers, stating that if the team can't pay the running back, at least let him go to a franchise that can afford him.
RELATED: STEELERS ROSTER ANGRY WITH LE'VEON BELL DURING CONTRACT HOLDOUT
Response from the Steelers has also been varied. Some teammates have been grumbling about Bell letting their team down by not giving them a heads-up that he would be absent until an agreement is reached between his agent and Steelers management. Others stated that Bell, who's been injury-prone through much of his professional career, needs some guarantee of financial security for his family. Even quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has weighed in on the dispute, saying that the absence of one man on the roster won't decide how well the team will play.
With Pittsburgh slated to kick off against Cleveland on Sunday to start their regular season, the Pro Bowl all-star is being replaced by sophomore running back James Conner. How long Conner will stay in the starting lineup throughout the regular season is obviously up to Bell. Bell could rejoin the team right after he signs, but if the contract is inked before Week 11, he becomes a free agent at the end of the season and risks earning less if another team picks him up during the off-season.
Meanwhile, Brown is hopeful Bell will be back in the lineup this season. And if he returns during that time, the wide receiver has assured his teammate that he'll be welcome back with open arms.
"When he comes, we'll be a part," he said.