It’s safe to say that the Steelers and Le’Veon Bell are not in a good place right now. Bell arrived late for the Steelers’ playoff game against the Jaguars last week and missed almost all of the walk-through on the day prior, Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette hears. 
Bell made waves earlier this month when he said that he would retire if the Steelers use the franchise tag on him for the second consecutive season. It’s hard to imagine Bell walking away from the game in the midst of his prime, but the Steelers might not want to invest $14.57MM in him for an additional season knowing that he could pull similar stunts. He’s also not doing himself any favors in regards to getting a lucrative long-term deal out of the organization.
Last year, Bell reportedly turned down a deal with an average annual value of $12MM per year and upwards of $30MM over the first two years. Some reports indicated that Bell’s agent was pushing for him to take the deal when the running back declined the offer at the last minute.
“It will eventually come down to me playing on the tag or not,” Bell said on Jan. 11. “They tag me again, it will be me [saying], ‘OK, do I want to play on the tag or do I not want to play on the tag?’ That’s what it comes down to. If I was a free agent and they let me go, be a free agent, then yeah, I’m going to go explore free agency, test the market.”
Bell finished out 2017 with 1,291 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. He also caught 85 passes for 655 yards and two scores en route a First-Team All-Pro nod.
The Steelers will not let him walk with nothing in return
The steelers won’t have a choice if they don’t tag him. He’s a free agent.
They’ll tag him. And then next year let him walk.
They might tag him and he’ll spend all of camp stoned out of his mind.
Yeah they will. First clue will be drafting Bell’s replacement soon.
Let him walk and draft a RB, there is no other position in the NFL where non starters regularly fill in for injured starters and produce at a high level. If he can’t be happy with $15m per year at that position they should just move on and draft a running back. Why would they want to extend a player who doesn’t think it important enough to be on time for a playoff game? He’s not a team player. And as good as he is he’s not irreplaceable. He’s been suspended and he’s played 16 games in a season once. I’d move on.
They can tag him but they can’t afford his contract without gutting the team. They are over the cap still need to sign draft picks and about 10-12 players to fill a roster. They can’t trade him either or they can try but will be make an offer?
Tough tough place for the steelers – hope they figure something out!
They can easily afford his contract, and they are in good position with the cap
That team is a complete SH@T SHOW!!
30 other franchises wish they were Pittsburgh
As a Browns fan, I can confirm
29 confirmations to go
I wonder would the Colts trade their first and second rounders from this and next year if the Steelers would be interested. Colts get a stud and Steelers can draft Barkley
You’re out of you’re mind.
Why wouldn’t the colts just draft Barkley? No one is going to trade for bell. He’s a free agent.
Colts trading back from the 3 as they have a crap roster and the qb hunger teams will pay to get ahead of Denver. Patriots are known for trading back and that’s who is coming to coach now.
I see Barkley at Cleveland along with a qb then they still have picks for Oline and db help later in draft.
29 – no bengals wish to be Pitt
That’s why you guys can’t win a playoff game
He’s highly OVER rated anyway. Too much credit for a strong Line. Games are won and lost at the line of scrimmage. Not by the RB. Let him walk , a 4th rounder will fill in with Connor and won’t miss a beat.
Hey Zach Links … question:
What if the Steelers places the non exclusive tag on him? They’d get two first rounders if someone signed him I believe.
I think the Steelers already have a backup plan in Connor. I think he was a third rounder. You don’t invest that if it’s for 3-5 touches a game.
Won’t happen, but something to consider. Trade Bell to Cleveland for the #4 pick (maybe another pick too) and take Barkley. Use the $14MM we’d have to pay Bell elsewhere on the roster.
Why would anyone trade for him??? He’s a free agent. Even if u tag him, no one would ever give up a 1st round pick for him. Why wouldn’t the browns just take Barkley themselves? Face it, ur not going to get picks out of him. Tag him or let him walk.
I don’t get this as the NFL is not the NBA and sign then trade deals don’t happen. He is a free agent with no trade value.
You either pay the man then gut your over cap team to make room or let Bell walk
steelers need to trade up. 28 is to low to get an impact player at any position.
Pretty sure #199 in 2000 draft is playing in his 8th SB. Can get plenty of impact players at 28