Pittsburgh Steelers: Top Kevin Colbert quotes from 2018 NFL Combine

Pittsburgh Steelers general manager, Kevin Colbert, took to the mic on Wednesday afternoon, discussion some major topics surrounding the team.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have some tough decisions to make in the 2018 offseason, but the closer we get to those decision being made, it sounds like the team is wanting to keep their key pieces together. While that may make sense now, we weren’t getting that vibe over the last few weeks. Whether it was media-driven or pure speculation, it seems there were many false rumors around the black and gold.

Thankfully with the 2018 NFL Combine approaching, coaches and general managers have the opportunity to clear up those rumors for us. With Steelers general manager, Kevin Colbert, in Indianapolis on Wednesday, he was able to answer some of those tough questions.

For example, When Colbert was asked about whether or not Steelers wide receiver, Martavis Bryant, had been offered in a trade this offseason, Pittsburgh’s GM had this to say – courtesy of Bob Labriola’s article on the team’s website: 

"“Martavis was never offered in a trade,” said Colbert. “Teams have inquired about his availability because of media reports, and we’ve quickly dismissed that and said he’s not available. Martavis did a great job of getting back on the field last year. Not many guys have come back from a one-year suspension. He was able to do that, and he did a lot of good things for us last year. And we’re looking forward to him doing it for us in 2018 and continuing to build on his own career as well.”"

This quote from Colbert is pretty amusing to me. There were so many people confident that the Steelers were offering Bryant to other teams or, at least, had him on the trading block. Even though Bryant is coming off an average year, including being suspended the year before, it seems as though Pittsburgh is still counting on him being an X-factor moving forward.

Is that what’s best for the Steelers moving forward? I guess we’ll see.

Take a look at another quote from Colbert, as he was asked about the team’s negotiations with Le’Veon Bell.

"“We have (had conversations with Bell’s agent), and we’re going to continue to have negotiations trying to figure out a common ground for a long-term deal,” said Colbert, “and  I think that’s not only our goal but their goal as well.”"

Again, regardless of what we’ve seen or heard in the media, it sounds like the Steelers are doing their best to bring Bell back to Pittsburgh. It may cost them a ton of money, but it seems Colbert is intent on finding “common ground” with Bell and keeping the talented running back in the black and gold for a very long time.

Next: GM Kevin Colbert announces Ryan Shazier's status for 2018

With that said, after reading Colbert’s statements about Bell and Bryant, how confident do you feel in the team’s ability to keep them in Pittsburgh beyond 2018?