NFL Rumors: Detroit Lions close to long-term deal with Joique Bell
By Josh Hill
The Detroit Lions are looking at the fee agent market for a safety and a wide receiver, but they are looking in-house or a long-term solution at running back. While Reggie Bush is the starter of the present, the Lions are working on locking down running back Joique Bell to a long-term deal that would make him the running back of the future.
According to Lions beat writer Dave Birkett, Detroit is closing in on a long-term deal with Bell, which seems to have been a goal since the start of the offseason.
"Restricted free-agent running back Joique Bell is close to a long-term contract, and if the Lions get that deal done today as they hope, they’ll give themselves a little more spending room under the $133-million salary cap."
Bell came into his own in 2013 and the Lions have been impressed with him ever since. It’s no secret that they wanted to retain the restricted free agent, slapping a second-round tender on him while chasing a long-term deal. That deal appears to be close as the Lions look to start free agency out by re-signing one of their own.