The 2016 offseason has been unlike any other in recent years. I cannot recall a time where so many off-the-field issues have plagued a team before the regular season has kicked off.

It’s time to put on my detective’s cap, and place a spyglass over the many issues surrounding the Steelers.

Le’Veon Bell

I wasn’t sure which strange set of circumstances to start with, so let’s begin with Bell:

Steelers' RB LeVeon Bell is having his suspension reduced from 4 to 3 games, sources told ESPN.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 19, 2016

Seriously: what on God’s green Earth is going on with Le’Veon Bell?

As far as we know, he was tested before and after the supposed missed tests. We also know that being in the second stage of the league’s drug protocol would mean Bell would miss as many as 10 games with a failed test.

Are we to assume that he missed because he would’ve failed? And if so, why would the league allow the suspension to be reduced?

I covered the many angles of this saga before, and it’s nice to get Bell back for one additional game, however, what does it say about a typically unforgiving NFL, that they reduced the suspension by only one game?

And what does it say about Bell? Is he clean? What exactly happened?

File this one under “unsolved mysteries,” because I doubt we ever find out.

Update

Le’Veon Bell’s suspension has been reduced to 3 games (from 4.)

James Harrison

If you thought Bell’s situation was strange, the black cloud hanging over James Harrison is even worse.

Harrison, has never (repeat: never) failed any substance tests by the NFL in his entire career. (This is unlike Bell, who was caught with pot.) Yet, the league is threatening to suspend Harrison (and several other players) who were named in an Al Jazeera “doping” report… a report that was later recanted.

Geesh!

Furthermore, Peyton Manning, who was also named in the report, was given a “clean” pass by the league. However, if Harrison (and others) do not interview with the NFL, they have been threatened with indefinite suspensions.

Talk about bizarre! An unsubstantiated claim is made by the league, and the players are forced to interview over it, despite no proof that they are doping (including the league’s standard testing.) If they do not comply, they’re suspended.

No wonder James is ticked… but he has agreed to meet, which is good for the team, as Harrison’s recent comments haven’t helped matters (going as far as to call Goodell a “crook” and claiming he would not meet unless it was on his terms.)

Bruce Gradkowski

What’s with the Steelers and injury reports?

Gradkowski leaves the team’s first preseason game, and no official word has been made on his status. Reportedly, the backup QB tore a hamstring; an injury which could have different time frames for recovery.

The Steelers haven’t made a move for another quarterback, allowing “camp arm” Dustin Vaughan to play in each of the team’s two preseason contests thus far. Whether Vaughan shows the coaching staff he can play or not, I would think the clock is ticking on a Gradkowski decision, and whether the Steelers pursue a seasoned veteran to at least hold the clipboard as the team’s 3rd option under center.

Senquez Golson

Senquez was injured before the preseason even got underway. In two years, he has yet to take a snap in games that do or don’t count, and from all reports, it’s not promising that the Steelers 2015 2nd round pick could see the field in 2016 either.

However, like others, the team has yet to announce any official movement of Golson to the injured reserve list. He could be added, and then designated to return later in the year, but the Steelers have made other transactions without a peep on the corner’s status.

Will Senquez play? Your guess is as good as anyone’s!

Ladarius Green

No mystery article would be complete without mention of Ladarius Green. The Steelers prized free agent acquisition also falls under the “incomplete” status report.

Rumors started surfacing weeks ago that Green was suffering from post-concussion headaches, stemming from missed time last season with the San Diego Chargers.

Green is still listed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) for an ankle injury, one in which he had surgery on during the offseason.

The news coming out of Steelers Camp, like with anyone else having a last name beginning with the letter “G,” has been mum. Mike Tomlin had verbally admonished a reporter in his press conference following the Lions preseason game for questioning whether Green would play.

Actually, others have questioned the same, with reports suggesting Green could retire… and other reports refuting those reports.

Hopefully this is one mystery which is solved before the start of the regular season, so the Steelers can prepare on a future with, or without, the mysterious tight end.