Ben Roethlisberger: Le'Veon Bell did not respond to text prior to deadline

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger told reporters that he did not receive a response after texting running back Le'Veon Bell prior to the 4 p.m. ET reporting deadline on Tuesday.

By electing against showing up, Bell forfeited the 2018 season -- and $14.5 million in earnings on the franchise tag. The 26-year-old Bell will become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason.

"I texted him yesterday before the deadline asking him -- texted -- saying I was hoping he was going to show up, and if he decided not to I wish him nothing but the best," Roethlisberger said on Wednesday morning, via a video posted by PennLive.com. "He was a great teammate and football player. To each their own on what they want to walk away from."

Roethlisberger also made it clear that he wanted to move on from the constant inquiries about Bell's whereabouts as it relates to the Steelers.

"The thing about it is he's not here, he's not going to be here, so we don't have to talk about it," the 36-year-old Roethlisberger said.

Roethlisberger told reporters that he couldn't imagine missing an entire season.

"It would be tough," Roethlisberger said. "Part of the great thing about this sport is this band of brothers, this group of guys in here. Being with them is kind of what keeps me coming back here, just so many years, too. But like I said, to each their own. Each guy has their own motives and motivations and I can't comment on him. I am glad that we won't talk about this anymore, though."

Roethlisberger earned AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors on Wednesday following his five-touchdown performance versus the Carolina Panthers. He threw for 328 yards in the Steelers' 52-21 romp over the Panthers on Thursday to receive the honor for the second time this season and 17th of his career.

Bell had been selected to the Pro Bowl three times and was named a first-team All-Pro twice, including in 2017, when he rushed for 1,291 yards and caught 85 passes for 655 yards.

The Steelers seem to be in good shape without Bell. They are in first place in the AFC North with a 6-2-1 record and have won five games in a row.

Bell's replacement, James Conner, is third in the league in rushing, averaging 85.7 yards per game and 4.7 yards per carry, and he has caught 39 passes for 387 yards.