The Pittsburgh Steelers' list of all-time greats is not short. From "Mean" Joe Greene, to Franco Harris, it's a list many players strive to be apart of. One player that is on there is Troy Polamalu. Polamalu spent all 12 years of his career with the Steelers where he created multiple memories for fans to cherish for life. His retirement had a lasting effect on a young running back that unfortunately ended his stint with the team when it came time to negotiate a new contract.
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Former Steelers superstars, Antonio Brown (84) and Le'Veon Bell (26) helped Pittsburgh's offense terrorize opponents for a stretch of years during the 2010s.
Le'Veon Bell, while talking with Antonio Brown on a now deleted interview with CTESPN, explained that in his second season with the Steelers, he told Brown that he saw how the organization forced Polamalu into retirement. After seeing that is what led to Bell wanting more guaranteed money in his famous contract dispute.
"I had just got there and I see them cut Troy Polamalu, or not cut him, but they kind of forced him out. I had just got there, that’s my year two and I see them do that to Troy Polamalu. This is somebody I grew up watching on TV being a superstar."
While at the time of Polamalu's retirement, he was adamant that it was his decision to end his career after the 2014 season (though he just signed an extension leading into that season), he did open up about his retirement during an interview with WTAE before his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
"Was it my decision to end a Steeler? It was not. But I'm so grateful, because it was absolutely the most perfect time for me to retire."
Bell and Brown would continue that the NFL is a business at the end of the day. Bell believed he deserved a contract that valued his contributions and his workload and after seeing what they had done to a Steelers great, he wasn't wanting to receive that same treatment. Unfortunately for Bell, both sides couldn't come to terms with his demands on the guaranteed money.
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Pittsburgh Steelers' former running back, Le'Veon Bell was one of the best players in the NFL at securing yards after the catch as he's seen here making a play against the New England Patriots during a home game in Pittsburgh, PA at then-Heinz Field.
Bell felt that he was a special player for the Steelers, not just another player on the roster. He would go on to tell Brown that he was making plays, scoring touchdowns, putting his body on the line for the team, and that his jerseys were filling the stands. In his first year of negotiations, he said he was in agreement to go on the franchise tag to prove to the front office that he was still going to put up big numbers and that he deserves the price that he is asking.
Bell wanted either a higher guarantee or higher annual salary. The Steelers offered Bell a five-year deal worth $70 million, where $20.5 million was guaranteed. He ended up turning it down and going to the New York Jets on a deal that he received $25 million guaranteed.
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Le'Veon Bell in action as a member of the New York Jets against the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium on Oct. 11, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
What Could Have Been If The Steelers And Bell Worked Out
While many fans are still sour at Bell's decision to leave Pittsburgh, he still believes that he was doing what was right for him and his family at the time. He saw the business side of the league with Polamalu and that is what made him go his separate way. Who knows what the future would have been if Bell took the Steelers' deal or Pittsburgh met his demands. Brown believes they would have gotten a Super Bowl ring if Bell would have stayed in the Steel City.
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