The offseason is always a study in optimism and that was certainly the case with the Pittsburgh Steelers' backfield.

There was heady talk in May and June about Le'Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount forming a potent one-two punch with the Steelers also finding ways to get speedy rookie Dri Archer five to 10 touches a game.

That vision never materialized, and after Blount’s petulant act at the end of a career game for Bell, his best friend on the Steelers, the team cut ties with him.

That the Steelers moved so swiftly to rid themselves of Blount -- they had time to weigh their options with the team on a bye next Sunday -- shows how quickly his me-first attitude wore thin in Pittsburgh.

That has been a pattern with Blount, which is why he will now be looking to catch on with his fifth NFL team in as many seasons even though the 6-foot, 250-pounder is averaging 4.6 yards per carry for his career.

In the end, coach Mike Tomlin and the Steelers made what was a pretty easy decision. Tomlin had a choice of losing Blount or risk losing the locker room -- or at least having Blount further contaminate it.

The Steelers will find a viable backup running back somewhere.

And it may even come from within their own locker room if they feel Josh Harris, who is on the practice squad, and Archer, who has just eight carries this season, are up to providing depth behind Bell.

If the Steelers choose to sign an outside free agent, that will happen only after that player has made it clear he understands this is Bell’s backfield.

Bell, who is second in the NFL with 951 rushing yards, has earned the right for the offense to run through him.

If Blount could not see that through his own selfishness and accept a role that would best support Bell -- even if that largely meant cheering for him -- then the Steelers had no choice but to get rid of him.