It would seem that not everyone in the Steelers locker room or Western Pennsylvania holds any grudge toward Le'Veon Bell.
A day after teammates, most notably offensive linemen Ramon Foster and Maurkice Pouncey, had sharp words for the All-Pro running back, another Steelers All-Pro is standing in solidarity with Bell.
On Thursday night, moments before the NFL regular season kicked off, Antonio Brown sent out a message via social media supporting Bell whenever he returns to the team:
We all we got, we all we need. Ready to roll whenever you get back with us, family ✊? @LeVeonBell pic.twitter.com/ukPRUdoqe4
— Antonio Brown (@AB84) September 7, 2018
Bell is yet to sign his one-year, franchise-tag deal worth $14.5 million this season and could be holding out for 10 weeks.
Brown is the most high-profile teammate to lend support to Bell, who has been roundly criticized in nearly all quarters in Pittsburgh.
Of course, Brown is no stranger to contentious contract situations with the Steelers. Prior to signing his four-year, $68 million contract extension in February of 2017, the Steelers broke with protocol by essentially extending his contract with more than a year remaining. In 2016, the Steelers advanced Brown $4 million from his 2017 salary.
In March, Brown had his contract restructured to free up space in the hope of re-signing Bell to a long-term extension, but a deal could not be reached for the second straight year.