Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown has been through a contract dispute with the team before, and had some words of wisdom for teammate Le'Veon Bell as the star running back sits out ongoing organized team activities.
"The first rule of getting better is showing up," Brown said to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. "You can't make anything better without showing up. I think if he shows up, make everyone understand where he wants to be - he wants to be here not just for this year but years to come, come out here and show up. Show up and get better and show guys you're serious."
In March, Bell received the franchise tag from the Steelers for the second consecutive year, but is seeking a lucrative, long-term contract instead before rejoining the team. The parties have until July 16 to reach a long-term agreement; otherwise, Bell would play the 2018 season under the tag and earn $14.5 million.
Brown, who signed a four-year extension worth $68 million in February 2017, wanted a new deal back in 2015 but never held out during negotiations and twice had his contract restructured by the Steelers to advance some of his salary. On the other hand, Bell also stayed away from the team last year after receiving the franchise tag, before finally reporting on Sept. 1.
But while he may disagree with his teammate's method, Brown said he knows Bell will be ready to roll when the 2018 season begins.
"The one thing about Le'Veon that makes him special, he takes his game seriously," Brown said. "It's never a question or doubt about his game, is he physically ready? I know when he walks in the building, whenever he shows up, you know what you're going to get - you're going to get a guy who's ready to take 400-to-500 carries, a guy who's willing to run and catch the ball, a guy who can do it all."
