There were times last season when Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell would not come off the field. He'd play the entire game. He did it against the Bengals late last season and played all but one play in two other games against the Ravens and Giants. If the coaches wanted to give him a breather, he'd wave them off and remain on the field.
Things might be changing this season. Bell's usage declined in the first game against the Browns, and some of it had nothing to do with easing him back into the game after he missed training camp. For the opener in Cleveland, the Steelers had designed packages without Bell or any other running back on the field.
The Steelers went empty nine times, with four receivers and a tight end. In years past, the coaches wanted Bell on the field because they believed his versatility as a receiver helped the offense. But now it appears they are moving in another direction when they want to play with four receivers.
Bell played just 43 of the team's 60 offensive snaps Sunday. Rookie receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster took Bell's place in those packages.
And even though Smith-Schuster didn't have a catch against the Browns, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger expects more of the same in coming weeks.
"We've got a lot of guys we can get on the field," Roethlisberger said. "We want to be able to get JuJu on the field. That's what that does. It creates an opportunity to get him on the field to create even more of a mismatch problem. I think you'll see more of it because it was very good to us."
Bell said after practice Wednesday that he did not have any discussion with coaches about his usage before the Cleveland game. He said he'd like to play the entire game, or close to it, as he has in the past, but he is deferring to the coaches on their decision-making.
"Of course, I want to be out there every play. I'm just executing the game plan and doing what I'm told," Bell said.
Bell was not sure if he would be included in five-receiver sets in the future.
"However they plan to use me, I'll be available," Bell said. "I'll make sure I go out there and put everything on the line when I'm in the game, and do the best that I can."
In years past, the Steelers have lined Bell up in the slot and taken advantage of mismatches on linebackers and safeties. They've also motioned him back into the backfield, which created the threat of a run, or a pass out of the backfield.
They don't have that option when they play without a running back, but Roethlisberger doesn't seem to mind. He referenced the touchdown drive just before halftime and said most of the plays on that drive came with four receivers and a tight end on the field.
For the game, Bell had 13 touches (10 carries for 32 yards and three catches for 15 yards). Roethlisberger said Bell's limited contributions, especially early in the game, stemmed from the original game plan and the number of penalties that forced the Steelers into second- and third-and-long situations.
Former Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams opined on Twitter that the Steelers coaches were punishing Bell for missing training camp.
But Roethlisberger said that was not the case.
"We put together 10-play starters," said Roethlisberger, referring to a script the coaches come up with before the game. "It was scripted to come out and throw screens and quick balls. The third and fourth plays were run plays. When you get penalties, you get backed up. You're not going to run the ball on second-and-20. You have to find ways to get some chunks back.
"The game dictated the way the game went and their defense dictated things. It wasn't 'Let's shut Le'Veon out and let's see this that and the other.' It was how the game unfolded."
The Steelers threw the ball almost twice as much as they ran it Sunday (36-17). Roethlisberger indicated Bell will be a bigger part of the game plan most weeks. The way the Browns played on defense and the penalties sabotaged that effort Sunday.
"We expect to be balanced," he said.
