Le'Veon Bell Skips Start of Steelers Training Camp as Part of Contract Holdout

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell was not present at the start of training camp Thursday as part of a contract dispute. 

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Bell didn't show up with the rest of the team and is not subject to fines since he has yet to sign his one-year franchise tender worth $12.1 million. 

Via Twitter, Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown pleaded with Bell to show up to camp:

The move wasn't surprising, since Bell previously skipped Steelers minicamp last month while holding out for a long-term contract. 

The deadline for players designated with the franchise tag to sign long-term deals was July 17. Bell rejected the Steelers' offers. 

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Pittsburgh's long-term offer included $30 million in the first two years, $42 million over three years and an average annual value of $12-plus million. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported it was a five-year offer.

Bell has established himself as one of the NFL's best running backs over the past four seasons. The 25-year-old has 4,045 rushing yards, 2,005 receiving yards and 86 total touchdowns in 47 games since being drafted 48th overall in 2013.