Ex-Steeler Gradkowski praises Pittsburgh for not overreacting to Bell’s holdout

Bruce Gradkowski knows a thing or two about the Pittsburgh Steelers and about holdout running back Le’Veon Bell.

As a former Steelers backup quarterback, Gradkowski was Bell’s teammate from 2013 to 2016, so he has a good share of insight into the dispute that has caused the running back to stay away. And Gradkowski fully expects that to continue through Tuesday’s 4pm deadline to sign a tender or forfeit playing for the rest of the season.

‘They handle their business within the four walls’

Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell (SiriusXM NFL Radio Photo)

“I just compliment the Steelers of how they don’t overreact, and to see how the Steelers stay humble through this process,” Gradkowski said while co-hosting with Bruce Murray on The SiriusXM Blitz. “They don’t overreact, they handle their business within the four walls. And that’s one thing I asked (club owner) Mr. (Art) Rooney (about), because it’s just a compliment to them. And he’s like, ‘You just have to take it as a process.'”

As for Bell, Gradkowski believes “there’s no reason” for him to show up at this point.

‘He’s still going to get paid after this year’

“Look, if he’s not going to show up for $14.5 million, worrying about an injury, he’s not going to show up for $6 million for the last few games,” Gradkowski said. “Because he’s still going to get paid after this year, whether it comes on a transition tag and a team throws him a contract, the Steelers don’t match it. Or the Steelers just say, ‘Forget it. We’re not even going to tag you, that’s it.’

“Because there’s going to be a team out there that throws him more money than he would have made this year. He’s going to get that over $30-million guaranteed. So, why not just take the rest of the year off and just count on that happening?”