While the Steelers and Le’Veon Bell are not permitted to discuss a long-term extension until after the regular season concludes, the team would be allowed to increase its star running back’s 2018 payment. However, don’t count on that happening.
The Steelers are not going to set a precedent in this unexplored area by adjusting Bell’s $14.5MM tag price, Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL.com reports (video link), adding they also will not discuss a trade. A trade would in effect thrust another team into Pittsburgh’s place — renting a running back that appears hellbent on doing his best to make it to the 2019 market without too much additional wear and tear from this season.
Bell turned down Steelers contract proposals the past two summers and is now essentially locked into his $14.5MM franchise tender, or a prorated amount of it. He could still report to the Steelers on Saturday, sign his franchise tender and receive the first of his $855K payments. He’s yet to do so.
Pittsburgh could rescind Bell’s tag, make him a free agent now and save $14.5MM. That also will not happen. The Steelers have restructured several veterans’ contracts to make room under the cap this year. They are prepared to carry that $14.5MM salary on this year’s cap sheet.
As the high-profile staring contest continues, James Conner is in line to start against the Browns on Sunday. The Steelers will host the Chiefs in Week 2.
Bell should give interviews in J. Harrison’s Pat’s jerseys.
Wish the pats got Harrison when he was still a beast, as a pats fan I hated him only bc he was so damn good, but gotta give him credit for being one of the best.
Harrison did better with the Steelers getting 2 SB rings he never would have gotten with the Patsies.
Well, I don’t remember exactly when he began to decline, but what was he doing during 49 against the Seahawks? Was that his bengals year? And you could make an argument he’d have helped in the 2nd Giants super bowl, but anyone who could catch the fricken ball would’ve been a bigger help that game.
You should only be able to franchise tag a player once.
Unbelievable that these teams are able to hold guys back from long term security in such a dangerous sport.
Want to pay up for that extra year to negotiate and evaluate.. Sure.. But to be able to tag the player year after year is beyond stupid.
Yeah, I agree; if you can only give a player a qualifying offer once in MLB (where they get guaranteed money), then the franchise tag should only be allowed to be issued once per player. I know the union collectively bargains for all this, but still.
If MLB’s rules on the QO were the same as the Franchise Tag then they might allow it happening more than once. If an MLB player were to get $18.5M the first time, $23M the second time, and then $34M the third time it might be allowed. (NFL’s FT guarantees 125% of previous salary for the second tag, and 144% for third tag).
You can’t really compare the two like that though because of the differences in salaries between the sports
Right, there’s such a huge difference between what Bell makes vs what most MLB players make. Most MLB players do not make $14.5M per year; Bell does. And the fact that MLB players play ten times the amount of games, travel far more often, play both sides of the ball the entire game, and don’t get a week of vacation in the middle of their season means they should get paid more.
Agreed. The compromise should be 1 franchise tag per player, but the player cannot hold out.
The whole NFL system is broken though. Lower the cap, guarantee contracts (or for most players like the NBA does at least).
“long term security in such a dangerous sport.”
$14.5M IS long-term security.
Bell has turned down his two contracts the past two years. The Steelers were wrong on this situation in the fact that they did not trade him when they could have done so for compensation.
Given the market for RB’s this year, he will find a team to overpay for him. Unfortunately, he will not be on a team that can block as well as the Steelers.
Bell is a great back and makes plays when he is on the field. One man does not make a team and Conner will have to play his best for the Steelers to play at a high level.
I wish bell the best next year and hope he gets his security. Conner is poised to become a star and if so the Steelers need to lock him up well before this soap opera starts again.
People forget that a supposedly-done RB like DeAngelo Williams did a damned fine job with the Steelers in Bell’s place. Their line makes Bell look superhuman.
What team would pay a significant return for a huge headache? Any team that Bell is scheduled to play for will have to significantly overplay/alter the landscape for RBs (and likely get screwed on the deal) or have him sit out. Bell is doing himself no favors. The shelf-life for RB’s is short; he’s not going to be playing in 5-6 years, and he’s not going to be in a position to command big money—and $14.5M IS big money—in another 2. If he walks away from this season’s cash he will take a serious hit to his career earnings.
I understand that the Steelers have hurt Bell with constant franchise tags and delaying an extension.
However, Bell is acting selfish and childish to not report for duty. Letting down his team like this.
Also, Bell is hurting his market value IMO. What GM wants to hire somebody who refuses to play their contract, especially one that is worth $14.5MM.
Bell’s problem is that he thinks he’s overly special, and should not be paid like a RB but rather a QB. He’s wants receiver money and RB money together. Yes, he’s great, but football is a business and he’s not getting paid what he wants. The Steelers have offered him contracts that would have made him an extremely well-paid RB…that’s not good enough for him. And that’s his choice. He’s the one who’s putting his body on the line, and if he doesn’t want to do it unless it’s for crazy money, money that an NFL is not going to pay him, then so be it.
Explain to us why Bell owes anything to those teammates that back stabbed him so they could gain favor with management? Those players are resentful that Bell has the talent to hold out for top dollars while they themselves don’t.
It makes absolutely no sense how fans think they should determine how much a player should value himself, agree or not. At the end of the day it’s a business just like Corporate America, Hollywood and etc. People turn Down offers, leaves companies for better opportunities all the time, without a word being whispered. He’s only loyal to himself and his family.
Bell only hurt himself it’s not like he has a perfectly healthy track record or that his next substance abuse issue won’t cost a year.
I agree this year the Steelers contract offer was bad but last year the offer was more than generous for a RB. I understand he is more than a RB but he gotta understand he comes with a little baggage.
It’s obvious to me the Steelers had no intention of keeping him unless it was on their terms. That’s how they play the game. His agent shoulda known that and he shoulda been upfront with his lineman because he at least owes them that much contrary to what he may believe they are a huge part of his success.
The Steelers had no intention of trading him because they have a window to win and he is a player that gives them the best chance to win in that window.
I understand his thinking and respect it. I understand the FO perspective and I understand his teammates feeling on the situation and respect that. All sides handled everything in their own way and this is the result so now the test is on Tomlin to hold it all together and this is where he gotta prove his ability as a head coach.
Ben had baggage and he STILL got paid, right? No one brings that up when they trash Bell all over the place. Not to mention Ben is the Biggest Diva in the NFL. They also forget he single handedly lost both games to Jacksonville last year with his turnovers. It’s funny what So called Steelers fans will let slide if they LIKE the player.
The difference…Ben is a QB, Bell is a RB. RB’s, even the best, are far easier to replace than QB’s. I’m not a Steelers fan at all, and in regards to what Ben allegedly did those actions should have banned him from the NFL.
Ben got paid cause he is a QB that is obvious they get paid if you can’t tell by looking around the league. And how exactly is Ben the biggest diva I would really like to know what exactly it is that makes him this diva is it because of the beatings he takes playing in the AFC and still plays ?
I don’t see any rules being made like for Brady look how many QBs have lost significant time and he is back in less weeks than they say ?
I guess the motorcycle accident was an exaggeration? Call him a diva all u want but real Steeler fans know his toughness.
Off the field he is a scumbag but on the field he is tough as nails. Ask any AFC North defensive player over the last decade & a half they will let you know. I live in NY and on more than 1 occasion Bart Scott on his radio show has said how tough Ben is.
How is he a Diva?? Talking about how he might retire every year, even after the 1st Jacksonville game how might not have it anymore. The NUMEROUS times he’s thrown Tomlin, other coaches or players under the bus. Man… I’ve been a Steelers fan since the late 70’s, so I’m in tune with what goes on in steeler country. I don’t care what QB’s get paid, but talk shit about LB’s character and then conveniently gloss over Ben’s character. Also, no one ever said you couldn’t be a tough guy and still be a Diva. He’s been known to over exaggerate the severity of injuries.