LeGarrette Blount Released by Steelers: Latest Details and Reaction

The Pittsburgh Steelers have released running back LeGarrette Blount after the back expressed displeasure at his role in the offense. However, the former Oregon back looks close to returning to New England in free agency. 

Continue for updates. 

Thursday, Nov. 20

Blount Reportedly Nearing New Deal

Josina Anderson of ESPN reports that Blount may have found a landing place:

Wednesday, Nov. 19

Blount Goes Unclaimed, Free to Sign Anywhere

ESPN's Adam Schefter has the latest on Blount:

Steelers Talk About Blount's Departure

Defensive end Cam Heyward talked about Blount's behavior prior to his release, according to Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

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"We're grown men and we need to act like grown men," defensive end Cam Heyward said. "If you're not on the field, that shouldn't be a problem. If you're not on the field, you have to make other contributions. We're a team. If you don't want to be a part of the team, don't be a part of the team. We're trying to win, and that's not going to be acceptable."

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Wide receiver Antonio Brown echoed those sentiments, according to Fittipaldo:

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Star receiver Antonio Brown said the Steelers have a tradition to uphold, and there is a "zero tolerance" policy for selfishness.

"After the win, guys should be excited," Brown said. "Guys should be embracing the thing we got going. It's hard to get wins in the NFL It's a bad situation."

Brown said he considered Blount a friend and spoke to him early Tuesday morning.

"I hate to see him do something like that and have to cause the result," Brown said. "As a competitor, he let his emotions get the best of him. He got outside the grand scheme of things that are really important. What's important is we play as a team; you embrace your teammates, you ride together. When we win, it should be positive."

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Tuesday, Nov. 18

Blount Released by Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers announced Tuesday that running back LeGarrette Blount has been released:

During the Steelers' 27-24 comeback victory against Tennessee on Monday Night Football, Blount made headlines for leaving the field before the game was over, according to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 

Albert Breer of the NFL Network reported that the Steelers released Blount for his selfish attitude, which Breer wrote was an ongoing issue:

Ben Volin of The Boston Globe weighed in on the running back's issues:

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#Steelers release LeGarrette Blount a day after he legot the field early. Didn’t do well this year without Belichick’s discipline

— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) November 18, 2014"

Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reveals who will replace Blount on the Steelers' 53 man roster:

Will Graves of the Associated Press provides comments from Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey:

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If you don't want to be here, don't be here," center Maurkice Pouncey said. "At the end of the day you've got your decision to make as a man and he made it."

[...]

"We've got our star running back," Pouncey said. "That's probably a good thing for our team that happened. At the end of the day if there was someone that was a cancer who ended up leaving on his own, that's a blessing for us.

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Blount, 27, rejuvenated his career with New England in 2013 after three seasons with Tampa Bay. He signed a two-year contract with the Steelers in March, where he has been a backup to Le'Veon Bell.

He had 65 carries for 266 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games for Pittsburgh in 2014.

USA TODAY Sports

A former undrafted free agent out of Oregon in 2010, Blount has enough experience and talent to latch on with a team in need of depth at the position, but it remains to be seen if his attitude will affect his value on the market.

Without Blount, the Steelers will lean on Dri Archer behind Bell on the depth chart.