Pittsburgh Steelers' rep to players: Save up for 2021 lockout

Pittsburgh Steelers player rep and veteran offensive guard Ramon Foster is warning players to prepare for a work stoppage in 2021 when the current collective bargaining agreement expires.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Foster is speaking out after the news of two drug suspensions were handed down by the league to his teammates.

Running back Le'Veon Bell was given a four-game suspension -- which was negotiated down to three -- over failed or missed drug tests, a violation of the league's substance abuse policy. Wide receiver Martavis Bryant was banned for the entire season for multiple failed or missed tests. Both players were disciplined due to marijuana use.

"There are bigger issues than pot," Foster told ESPN.

The CBA will expire after the 2020 season.

"Hit them in the pocket. That way, money always talks," Foster said. "For us to do that, we have to save on our end. We can't be just blowing money and not realize what's coming, especially with guys coming into the league now."

After the previous CBA expired in 2010, NFL players were locked out by the owners in 2011, lasting from March 12 to July 25. The Steelers were the only team to vote against the agreement that eventually passed before the season.

"It's coming. They've hired certain people on their legal team, the NFL has, and we have to be the type of players and union that's not borrowing money from banks and stuff like that to survive a lockout, a strike," Foster said. "That can't happen this time around. We have to be smarter this time around because there are a lot of things we're going to be fighting for and a lot of things they are going to want and we're going to want, too."