The Oakland Raiders have the opportunity to look a little like the Pittsburgh Steelers of recent years. After acquiring Antonio Brown in a trade on Sunday, the Raiders could sign Le’Veon Bell in free agency during the coming week.

Oakland has the cap space, and the Raiders are in need of talent on offense. Bell has his warts: age, a history of heavy usage and the fact that he didn’t play football at all last season. He’s also one of the best pass-catchers available in free agency, and, by far, the best ball-carrier.

Brown and Bell come with baggage. They both leveraged their way away from the Steelers in dramatic and unique fashions. A change of scenery should settle down the drama. A different organization, where Ben Roethlisberger isn’t king, should be a more conducive climate for both Bell and Brown. If Jon Gruden can’t handle the drama, then he doesn’t deserve his $100 million contract. That’s why you give a coach a contract of that size — you believe he can corral the divas, whether they’re rocking a blond mustache or coming off a year-long holdout.While Gruden was unwilling to pay Khalil Mack big money, the Raiders coach gave Brown a raise after acquiring him, according to ESPN. He seems willing to pay for the right players. Apparently, Mack wasn’t one of them. If Gruden is willing to pay Brown, he’s likely just as willing to pay Bell. It’s easier to justify paying a receiver than it is paying a running back. But Bell’s market may not be as big as he hopes in free agency, with few teams being in need of a running back. Bell also stands apart from most at his position with the ability to take on 100 targets in the passing game. If he can rack up 80 catches and 250 carries in Oakland’s offense, he will be worth what the market dictates, which could hit about $30 million in guaranteed money. That’s not bad for a running back that puts up receiver-like production.

It’s perfectly possible, if not likely, that the #Raiders offer Le’Veon Bell the exact same 3 year, $50M-ish, $30M-ish guaranteed contract in a few days.

— Spotrac (@spotrac) March 10, 2019

The Raiders’ plan at quarterback is to stick with Derek Carr — for now. Regardless of whether that plan changes (and Kyler Murray enters the equation), Bell and Brown would be an ideal tandem to help a franchise quarterback. While combining acquisitions of Brown and Bell with top selections in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Raiders could again look like a legitimate football operation with a challenging offense to defend.

Brown’s arrival signaled the turnaround is underway. Bell would accelerate the process significantly.