The Steelers are not tagging Le’Veon Bell, according to GM Kevin Colbert. Bell was unlikely to return to Pittsburgh, but there was speculation that the Steelers might employ a transition tag on the running back in order to get something for him via trade. 
“Le’Veon is still a great player. We can’t afford to use any other type of tags. Le’Veon will be an unrestricted free agent at the start of the new league year,” Colbert said (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler).
Nothing has been easy for the Steelers and Bell, and the transition tag would have carried its own complications. For starters, the tag-and-trade scenario would have required Bell’s cooperation, and the running back likely wouldn’t have signed off on a scenario where the Steelers would have had control over his destination. The Steelers also would have pushed for Bell’s tag value to be $9.5MM rather than $14.5MM with the argument that Bell’s 2018 holdout reset the formula.
By allowing Bell to hit unrestricted free agency instead, the Steelers will avoid drama and assure themselves of getting a third-round compensatory pick in the 2020 draft. Conversely, an unmatched transition tag would have left the Steelers with nothing in the way of compensation.
Bell, 27, had 1,291 yards off of a league-high 321 carries in 2017. He also reeled in a career-high 85 catches for 655 yards and scored eleven all-purpose touchdowns. His resume is extremely impressive, but many free agent running backs have been let down by lackluster offers in the past and Bell’s odometer may actually work against him.
They probably just want to be done with him and all his BS.
Almost all Steeler fans want he and Brown gone.
With Bell and AB (likely) on their way out, where does this leave Pittsburgh? Are they still contenders with Ben and JuJu or will this begin their rebuilding phase? Are the Steelers a 10-win team next season?
I think it will be hard for them to get to 10
If Conner can stay healthy and the team makes smart moves to improve the DEF then sure they can make the playoffs. It will be a three-way race between BAL, PIT, and CLE. My money is on CLE though.
It’s tough to say, honestly. Their offense is still going to be pretty good with Connor and Samuels in the backfield. They will need to add at least 1 WR (Golden Tate, maybe?) but aren’t in dire shape at the position without Brown. They will absolutely have to improve the defense to be a playoff team. The other issue is that the division could be better overall. The Browns are legit, and the Bengals and Ravens aren’t what they were but could easily improve this offseason.
Any team with a QB has a chance. We will be fine… and we are GREAT at finding WRs in the later rounds.
^^^^^this.
And let’s not forget what we get in return for Brown could possibly help as well.
They have the talent on offense to compete without Brown or Bell, but its their defense and head coach that drag them down. Even having Bell and Brown in the fold could easily be negated by bad coaching decisions during games or the team’s usual playing down to the level of their competition on the field
Agreed that coaching has held this team back and not talent, even on defense their talent level isn’t at the bottom of the league. In 10 seasons since the last SB win there are 4 playoff misses and 3 one and dones. Good coaches can overcome bad or hurt talent but good players cant overcome bad coaching.
AGREE COMPLETELY.
Damn, Bell on the open market. This just screams Patriots.
Sony Michael
Almost as good and much cheaper
The more I read that the Jets aren’t interested in Bell, the more I think that’s where he ends up. I can’t see the Patriots wanting to spend that much in a RB, they usually prefer to go cheap and by committee.
I hope so. They can overpay for Bell and find out if their O line blocks as well as the Steelers’ line did to make Bell look so good.
Bell is very likely gonna follow the money. The Patriots wouldn’t give him anywhere near what he will demand. If he wants to take significantly less money to win a ring then sure. Patriots would never give a RB such a huge contract.
Bell never stepped foot in the locker room, hasn’t been in front cameras trashing teammates, coaches or the organization, yet people still want to blame him for the drama in Steelers Organization. All he did was make a business decision by sitting out the whole year. Not wanting to getting abused for 400 touches w/o long term guaranteed $. Agree or Disagree, he did what he thought was best for him. It’s Business > Team all day long.
As a Steelers fan, I hold no ill will towards Bell. I wish him luck in the future.
Esp since Connor practically replicated his production.
Except playing in the playoffs. It’s a shame that the run/pass ratio was the worst in the league. Coincidence?
Look, T-Soiled2.0, if its all business then why blame the Steelers organization for not overpaying Bell? The drama was caused by Bell, plain and simple. Or was it somebody else telling teammates he was going to report by such and such date or tweeting stuff that looked like he was about to report. Bell was playing with the Steelers, the media and the fans…oh, but the drama wasn’t his fault. Give me a break
Where did I even mention in any of my posts WHAT Pittsburgh should’ve paid Bell, or Blame them? I remember when I use make up stuff and throw it against the wall.
It’s funny thAt BELL never said he was showing up, but a couple teammates, stupidly opened their mouths and said it for him. Too bad you’re were a sucker and listened to EVERYONE else, instead of listening to the SILENCE from Bell. EVERYONE kept reporting when he was gonna show up, EXCEPT Bell himself. Maybe you’ll learn a lesson and not believe everything you read.
Good. Let him go. Be done. Move on.
The Steelers have put up with Bell and Brown for way to long. Bell is one of the best backs in the league when on the field. Between suspensions and injury he just doesn’t stay on the field enough for the money he wants. Brown is def worth every penny on the field. But not worth a thing off the field. He’s more interested in his own brand off the field.
All the people talking mess about Ben really need to put it into perspective. It’s a lot harder finding a franchise QB then a productive WR or RB. The Steelers have ready made replacements for Bell and Brown already on the roster. Before Ben they went thru a bunch of trash QBs. Rudolph is all potential till he actually throws a NFL pass.
Ben doesn’t know how to lead. He had stacked offenses 2017/2108. Bell hurt vs Patriots 2016, but they were there, but Ben played poorly.
bell will be a colt.. he , brown , ty , luck..
luck be in heaven..
Welcome to the Kingdom Mr. Bell. Mahomes Tyreck Kelce and Bell. Stop that bunch!!!!!