Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell reported for work Monday, signed his one-year contract, practiced and announced himself ready for the 2017 season.
Bell, who was back with the team Monday for the first time since the last season ended, also said there are no hard feelings with the Steelers after they could not come to terms on a long-term contract.
"Not at all," Bell said after practice. "Football is more than a sport. There's a business behind it. There are no hard feelings. I came here, everyone is happy, and we're ready for the season and trying to win a Super Bowl."
Bell stayed away from the team this spring, skipping OTAs and minicamp in May and June. He also skipped training camp after he and the Steelers could not get a deal done by the July 17 deadline for all franchise tagged players to do a long-term contract.
"I don't look at it being a negative," Bell said of the negotiations with the Steelers. "We didn't get a deal done. That's not a bash on me or the organization. We didn't get a deal done. We'll go through the season. Maybe next year something happens. But we're worried about this year. We're trying to win a Super Bowl. That's the biggest thing."
When asked if the summer negotiations slammed the door on any chance of returning for the 2018 season, Bell said.
"I don't know. I'm going to worry about this year."
The Steelers can use the franchise tag on Bell again next year and secure his services for the 2018 season at a price tag of $14.5 million, or 120 percent of this year's salary of $12.1 million.
Bell said he skipped training camp because he was concerned about suffering a long-term injury.
"I wanted to make sure I was fresh for the season," he said. "I didn't want to jeopardize myself and get hurt in camp. I understand I'm on a one-year deal so I have to prepare and play football. I didn't want to get hurt in camp. In my rookie camp I got hurt. I didn't want to deal with that. I'm going to be ready for Game 1, the games that count.
