The Steelers have now technically been without a two-time All-Pro at running back in Le’Veon Bell for over a year, but they didn’t seem to feel any ill effects from it a season ago. Though Bell was watching the 2018 NFL season from his recliner instead of playing on the franchise tag, Pittsburgh managed.
The Steelers didn’t quite make the playoffs in 2018, but that wasn’t because of the run game. In fact, in terms of efficiency, the Steelers were better off without Bell:
The idea that Le’Veon Bell had any meaningful impact on the Steelers’ rushing or passing offense is…unsupported by evidence pic.