Steelers' Heyward-Bey not concerned about Bell's absence: 'Nobody cares'

The Pittsburgh Steelers are waiting for running back Le'Veon Bell to sign a second-consecutive franchise tag, and they've grown accustomed to his summer holdouts.

"I think last year a lot of guys were like, 'Oh, Le'Veon's not here,'" wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey said, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. "Nobody cares. We're out here and we have to get work done. ... We'll see him when we see him. Next man up."

The Steelers placed the franchise tag on Bell in early March. The one-year deal would pay him $14.5 million in 2018. Bell can accept the tag, agree to a long-term extension with Pittsburgh by the July 16 deadline, or continue a holdout and risk being fined by the team.

Bell rushed for 1,291 yards and nine touchdowns on 321 carries last season, and caught 85 of 107 targets for 655 yards and two touchdowns over 15 games.

The 26-year-old's continued dominance helped to erase any concerns over missed offseason workouts.

"If anything, when you don't have contact for nine months, it's going to be a little bit (of a transition)," Heyward-Bey said. "But the guy was leading the league in rushing (late in the year), had the most carries, first year he didn't get hurt. He comes here in shape. If he was a guy we were worried about that he'll come overweight or not in condition ... not at all. That guy's a pro."

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