OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Wink Martindale isn't breathing a sigh of relief from the fact that Pro Bowl running back Le'Veon Bell has yet to report to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
"There are a lot of stats [since 2015] that the Steelers are actually better without him," Martindale said Thursday. "That might be why he's riding a jet ski down in Miami right now."
Bell, a first-team All-Pro last season, continues to protest the franchise tag, remaining absent despite the trade deadline passing on Tuesday.
James Conner, Bell's replacement, has rushed for 367 yards and six touchdowns over the past three weeks.