Steelers' Le'Veon Bell signs $12.1 million tender, returns to practice

As promised, Le'Veon Bell showed up to work with his Steelers teammates on Labor Day.

The Pro Bowl running back signed his $12.12 million franchise-tag tender Monday morning, then sweated through a two-and-a-half hour workout at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex as the Steelers began preparations for the Sunday season opener at Cleveland.

It was the first time Bell was on the field with his teammates since the AFC championship game loss to New England on Jan. 22.

Bell explained his reasoning for sitting out training camp, which followed his absence at minicamp and organized team activities. He said it was not in protest of the franchise tag the Steelers applied in February or the inability for the two sides to reach a long-term contract extension in July.

“I wanted to make sure I prepared fresh for the season,” Bell said after practice. “I don't want to go out there and jeopardize myself getting hurt it camp. Obviously, I understand I'm under a one-year deal. I've got to prepare and play football.

“I didn't want to get hurt in camp. My rookie year, I remember getting hurt in camp, so I didn't even want to deal with it. I wanted to get here, get ready for Game 1, get ready for games that count and go out and try to win a Super Bowl.”

Linebacker Ryan Shazier said Steelers players have no hard feelings toward Bell for working out on his own while the team spent August in training camp.

“Everybody understood the scenario he was in and what was going on,” Shazier said. “It's a business, so nobody was really hating on him or mad at him. It's just good to have a teammate back that gives everything he has every time he's on the field.”

Since the two sides failed to reach a long-term contract by the NFL's July 17 deadline, the Steelers cannot resume negotiations with Bell until after the season. They could apply the franchise tag again at a price of $14.5 million.

“I don't look at it as being negative,” Bell said. “More so, we just didn't get a deal done. It's not any bash on me or the organization or anything. We just didn't get the deal done, and it's fine. You go through the process, you go through the season. Maybe next year something happens. We're worried about this year.”

Bell also downplayed a Snapchat video in which he rapped to teammates that he was worth $17 million.

“That was me freestyling off my head,” Bell said. “First number. I felt like it rhymed better, so I kept going.”

Is that his elevating asking price in future negotiations?

“I'm not asking for anything,” he said. “I'm just going out there playing with the one-year franchise that I got.”

Once Bell signed his franchise tender, the Steelers received a two-week roster exemption. It will end if he's activated for Sunday's game.

Although he will have just four practices — and just one padded — before the start of the season, Bell vowed he will be ready.

“That's everybody's concern, but I think one of the biggest things for me is me taking care of my body,” said Bell, who spent August working with a personal trainer in Miami. “For me, I did a lot of training. I practiced today. They gave me normal reps like I've been doing in practice last year and the year before and all the years I've been here, and I felt good.

“Wednesday when we put on pads, I might be a little different, a little adjustment I have to make. But obviously I'm excited about this year, and I'm ready to move forward.”

Bell said he did not have a copy of the playbook while he was away from the team.

“I'll pick it up,” he said. “I think I'm a very smart football player. There was little wrinkles today and obviously I had to adjust to it, and I think I did a good job. I didn't have any mental errors. … I'm ready.”

The Steelers faced a similar situation last year when Bell was suspended for the first three games of the season and wasn't permitted to practice with teammates. He had 144 yards rushing in his first game back and ended the season with 1,268 yards rushing and 616 receiving in 12 games.

“This is nothing new for Le'Veon,” center Maurkice Pouncey said. “He's missed time before and came back and was the best back in the league. If he can stay on that consistent path, we're all good.”

This time, though, his absence lasted more than seven months.

“You know what type of player you're adding out there,” Pouncey said, “how electrifying he is and what all he brings to the passing and running game. It's exciting to have him here.”

Joe Rutter is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at jrutter@tribweb.com or via Twitter @tribjoerutter