The Steelers officially placed the franchise tag on running back Le’Veon Bell earlier this week, but it sounds like the two sides are progressing towards a long-term deal. ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler reports that the Steelers increased their offer recently and are close to Bell’s requested number.
The running back is reportedly seeking a deal that will pay him around $14.5MM annually. That’s similar value to the $14.544MM franchise tag, although an extension would obviously come with long-term security. Devonta Freeman is currently the game’s highest-paid running back at $8.25MM per year, a mark that Bell is looking to surpass.
Earlier this week, we continued to hear that the Steelers and Bell weren’t close to a new deal, with the running back still threatening retirement if he didn’t receive his desired deal. The running back told Fowler that playing the running back position on one-year deals felt like “settling.” However, the running back also acknowledged that he’s thought about playing on the franchise tag for a second-straight season and hitting free agency in 2019. He admitted earlier this week that he doesn’t want to miss any games, and he’s willing to bet on himself in order to secure that big payday.
“For me to get hurt [again] will take a lot,” Bell said. “I know when I’m 30 or 31 years old, I know I’ll be productive because I don’t depend solely on my athletic ability to get open and get yards. It’s more my mind. The Steelers know that.”
The 25-year-old had another productive season in 2017. He ultimately compiled 1,291 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on a career-high 321 carries. He also added another 85 receptions for 655 yards and two scores.
I’m willing to bet $14.55 million that Bell will not be productive at 31.
And I will fully guarantee that he won’t be getting a 6 year extention
High roller over here! I’m going to Vegas with you! 🙂
Don’t be so sure about that. Not all running backs careers are over at 30. Bell’s future is especially tough to predict. Because of his shiftiness, he never seems to take on the full force of a tackle, unlike Zeke and Freeman who depend on their physical strength to grind yards out up the middle.
321 carries and 85 receptions last year plus more of the same this year says otherwise.
Unless it’s Vontez Burfict … just sayin
Don’t do it Pittsburgh
Great back with crappy character. I would not invest long term in any running back because the window for a running back to play at their peak is very small compared to other positions. His habits and character are also concerning. He’s great , but not so great that those concerns wouldn’t halt em from going in a different direction.
I see you STILL here Hatin like he LIL punk you are. You KEEP saying the same thing on EVERY Bell Post. Go play in traffic, dude.
Nice to hear from you T. Once again, still spouting off nonsense as usual. Never have anything to add to the conversation of substance. I hope you realize that every time you post something you think your big and tough. Well, most of us see a 3rd grade education clown that clearly did not get enough attention as a child. All the best ! Take care T
2-3 year deal at most, though I think paying out 14 mil will hamstring them from putting a decent defense on the field again next year unless they think all of their incoming rookies will get the job done.
Let him play on the tag. Give him the rock 400 times this year and let him catch 75 balls and tell him have fun getting your $14mm+ deal in Cleveland, Miami, or somewhere else.
The old saying of “Million dollar talent, but 10 cent brain” applies to this goofball.
Well said
I bet if he actually had a “10 cent brain” he would’ve signed any deal that they offered. It’s amazing how idiots like y’all hold it against athletes when they do the same things that people in corporate America do when they negotiate deals that suit them. Sounds a lot like jealousy to me, but Oh well.
The problem is T, that none of these athletes deserve this money. I agree that based on the market , he deserves the money. Morally , none of them do. When you have people out there fighting wars, police, fireman.. people in the business of saving lives … it’s kind of sick to see this kind of money distributed to professional athletes that play a holds game. That’s one mans opinion though.
*childs
Your jealousy is really showing, dude. Please stop posting. I’m sorry you had no athletic ability to play ANY child’s game. Maybe in your next life it will happen
I mean you’re right that people in the service and police/firemen/etc deserve to be paid, but people are willing to pay more for entertainers. Instead of blaming the players, blame the fans. Blame the owners. I mean if you possessed a particular set of skills that most people didn’t have, you’d want as much money for it as well.
Thank you JT! Someone that actually gets it. Honestly, if those people had a set of skills the to where hey didn’t have to fight wars, join the police force, do you think they would?? Plus, aren’t all of those professions voluntary?? I don’t hear people belly aching about CEO’s that get those 20-30mil dollar bonuses, huh? Give me a break.
T- do you realize how ignorant you sound? You don’t know me anymore than some guy walking down the street. To comment some nonsense about anyone’s personal ability on a message board with fake names… you don’t even know who I am what I do or where I live for that matter , it just screams to everyone on this board that you’re a dumb azz.
That’s a solid argument JT. Regardless of who’s at fault, it shows how morally screwed up the world is. It’s beyond that particular set of skills though. There should not be that much money wrapped up in any GAME. That’s just it, it’s a game.