Oct 6, 2018 6 min read

Producers from national radio shows text all the time asking for a moment or two on the air to talk about Steelers issues.

But the one I got yesterday was a little different.

“We wanted to talk about the rift between Antonio Brown and Ben Roethlisberger,” this latest one read.

I had to wrack my brain wondering what in the world that meant. There is, after all, no rift between Brown and Roethlisberger.

There has been a disconnect, to be sure. After all, that prolific duo has connected on just 54.7 percent of its pass attempts this season. That’s the lowest percentage of catches Brown has on passes thrown his way in his career.

But a rift? No, that’s not there.

Perhaps they were reading into Brown’s recent statements, such as his tweet of, “Trade me, let’s find out,” or saying last week that he can’t throw the ball to himself.

But those are born more out of frustration than they are a rift. Roethlisberger and Brown are fine on a personal level.

“Me and Ben laugh about you guys, creating drama, writing about us, trying to create adversity and distractions,” Brown said this week. “We actually text about it, laughing, communicate a lot on text message about you guys.”

It would be nice if they figure out how to connect beyond that. There have been 71 100-yard receiving games already this season – there were 140 total last season – and the Steelers have five of those. None have been by Brown, who topped 100 yards eight times last season.

And yet somehow, Roethlisberger leads the NFL in passing yards and is on pace to shatter Peyton Manning’s 2013 league record of 5,477.

Once he figures out what’s going on with Brown, this offense will be much better off.

The issue is with Roethlisberger. Brown is getting open. He’s beating the coverage. But just 57 percent of the passes thrown by Roethlisberger to Brown this season have been catchable.

That number is typically 70 percent or greater.

• Le’Veon Bell told ESPN earlier this week he plans on returning in the Steelers’ Week 7 bye.

Despite the vitriol from many fans and some harsh words from teammates when he initially didn’t report to open the season, he’ll be welcomed back.

If the first month of the season has proven anything, it’s that the Steelers need Bell.

James Conner is a decent backup, but he’s not Bell.

• If Bell does report for Week 7, the Steelers would owe him $9.4 million for the remainder of this season. The interesting thing now becomes what is going to be done next year.

A holdout, once seen as the end of the road for Bell in Pittsburgh, might actually help keep him with the Steelers.

Sources told me in training camp the Steelers would consider placing the transition tag on Bell next year to protect their rights with the running back. That would have cost just over $17 million for 2019, much less than the $25 million it would cost the Steelers to place the franchise tag on him for a third time.

Now, with Bell making just $9.4 million this season, the Steelers can place the transition tag on Bell and pay a 120 percent increase on his salary, or $11.29 million.

Bell and his agent might not fight that, either. After all, transition tagged players are free to test the free-agent market. The Steelers would retain the right to match any offer he might get.

And Bell might not get a better offer than the five-year, $70-million deal with $33 million in guarantees the Steelers reportedly offered him in July.

Even if he does, the Steelers can use the threat of matching the deal as a bargaining chip. Once he has an offer in hand, they can then contact the team in question and suggest they’ll match the offer unless that team gives up a draft pick.

• The Steelers will be trying to avoid their first 0-3 start at home since 1986 in their game against the Falcons today.

For reference sake, I was a 17-year-old high school senior the last time the franchise opened its home schedule with three losses. That team finished 6-10.

This week’s picks

Falcons plus 3½ over the Steelers: Even if the Steelers do win this game, which is completely possible, it figures to be close. The Falcons have played four one-score games this season, losing three. The difference right now is that Atlanta has turned the ball over four times, the Steelers have turned it over nine. Which team is more trustworthy? The Falcons, who will win, 34-31.

Browns plus 3½ over the Ravens: The Ravens have a below .500 record over the past decade the week after playing the Steelers – Pittsburgh is barely over .500 in those games. And the Ravens were celebrating that win over the Steelers as if they had won a playoff game. The Browns will surprise them in a 24-23 win.

Bengals minus 6 over the Dolphins: The Dolphins built a 3-0 start on a soft schedule and came crashing back to earth last week in New England. The Bengals are a much-improved team and get Joe Mixon back this week, which should lead to a 30-17 victory.

Rams minus 7½ over the Seahawks: The last time these two teams met, the Rams destroyed the Seahawks, 42-7. And then the Rams got better and the Seahawks got worse. That should lead to a 45-10 victory for the Rams.

Green Bay pick over Detroit: In 16 career starts against the Lions, Aaron Rodgers is 14-2. That’s pretty darn good. How much more is the NFL throwing the ball this season? Rodgers ranks 16th in the league in passing yards and has yet to have a 300-yard game. That could change this week in a 31-27 win.