Pittsburgh Steelers could lose Le’Veon Bell this offseason

Can the Pittsburgh Steelers afford the dynamic running back after this season?

After holding out all of training camp Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell stands to receive a hefty payday this offseason. However, his checks may not be coming out of Pittsburgh for much longer.

Going into the 2018 offseason, the Steelers stand to be $4 million over the salary cap, leaving them little room to work with. To make matters worse their biggest cap hits belong to their biggest stars on long-term deals. Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, Stephon Tuitt, Cameron Hayward, Joe Haden, David DeCastro, and Maurkice Pouncey will each make at least $10 million next season.

Four players on the Steelers books for next season carry no dead cap and could become cap casualties via trade or a straight-up release: Martavis Bryant, Ryan Shazier, J.J. Wilcox, and Vance McDonald.

The veteran tight end McDonald will be the most expendable of the bunch with a $4.6 million cap hit next season.

Luckily for the Steelers Bell is the only major free agent they will have to address this offseason. Backup offensive lineman Chris Hubbard is an important piece to their run blocking game, but he will be expendable for a team trying to keep their superstar running back.

Pittsburgh will also have to consider the future of Roethlisberger, who considered retirement last offseason. Releasing their franchise quarterback or allowing him to retire would save Pittsburgh millions of dollars with a $23.2 million cap hit.

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Don’t be shocked if Bell ends up elsewhere next season when the money comes calling.