The Pittsburgh Steelers are likely dealing with a Le'Veon Bell suspension to start the 2015 season and if he is suspended for four games, the team may look at names like Mark Ingram or Darren McFadden on the free agent market to help out and this comes as the team is working on a contract extension for Ben Roethlisberger that should get done soon.
Bell was one of the most productive players in football last season, but according to John Clayton at ESPN.com, he could be suspended multiple games for his DUI last summer. Clayton writes that a two game suspension is likely, but the language in the new conduct policy could see him sit for longer. If Bell is suspended four games, it would be for a quarter of the season and that is a big chunk for a player who touches the ball as much as he does.
The Steelers got rid of LeGarrette Blount last season and that means they have Dri Archer and Josh Harris behind Bell. The team will need some depth at the position and players like Darren McFadden, Mark Ingram, DeAngelo Williams or Reggie Bush could be low risk, high upside options. The Steelers have a strong offense and Bell is one of the main reasons for that, but if he has to sit for two or four games, the Steelers need a solid backup plan.
The Steelers are also working on a new contract for their quarterback, as Roethlisberger is coming into the final year of his deal. Roethlisberger is nearly guaranteed to get a pay raise, as he just had one of his best seasons in his career and has a Super Bowl pedigree in his past. According to Mark Kaboly on Twitter, the team is working with Big Ben on a deal and general manager Kevin Colbert said he is "confident" that the sides will agree on a deal.
Roethlisberger had 4952 passing yards last season with a career best-tying 32 touchdowns and he also had just nine interceptions. Roethlisberger completed more than 66 percent of his passes and now he is set to get a new deal after previously signing an eight-year, $102 million contract with the team. Bell comes in after rushing for 1361 yards last season and he also had 83 catches for 854 yards and 11 total touchdowns. Bell was one of the most valuable players in the league to his team last season and missing him for any amount of time will hurt the Steelers in 2015.
The Steelers also have Troy Polamalu as a player that may not come back along with James Harrison and Brad Keisel. Polamalu has been one of the best safeties in football over his career, but at his age and with the injury issues he has had, he may not come back. The Steelers are hoping that Polamalu retires before they have to cut him, as he is set to count for over $8 million on the salary cap this season. The team is in decent shape, but they could use some relief and there is a chance her doesn't come back next year.
