Le’Veon Bell reportedly being tagged by Steelers
By Joe Romano
The Pittsburgh Steelers top priority this offseason is to keep their star running back, and they reportedly are taking the first step.
Pittsburgh is home to arguably the NFL’s best running back. Le’Veon Bell has been a dominant force for the Steelers since arriving in the league in 2014, earning two All-Pro bids.
With his rookie contract expiring after the 2016 season, the team and Bell could not agree to a long-term deal. Pittsburgh placed the franchise tag on him in hopes they could use the year it provides to work out a contract.
Despite their best efforts, the two sides are still working on a long term deal. The deadline for placing the franchise tag is Tuesday, March 6. With that date lingering, Pittsburgh is again expected to place that tag on their star running back.
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the team will still work on a long term deal while Bell is under the tag.
Despite some early optimism at getting a long-term deal done before the deadline, the #Steelers are expected to franchise tag RB Le’Veon Bell before the Tuesday deadline, barring a dramatic turn in talks. Both sides will keep working on a deal.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 5, 2018
Under the tag Bell will make $14.5 million in 2017. The big question, as posed by Rapoport as well, is when the back will actually sign the tag. Last season Bell sat out all offseason before actually signing the deal. The Steelers have until July 16th to give Bell the long term contract he desires. Should the two not agree on terms by then the running back will play under the one year tag.
During the Pro Bowl Bell was optimistic that a deal would get done. He stated he felt they were further along at that point than they were only a year ago.
Pittsburgh may be feeling added pressure from Bell’s side as well. In early January the All-Pro back told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler a second franchise tag could end his career.
"The Pittsburgh Steelers running back told ESPN that he’s prepared to sit out a season, or even retire, if franchise tagged for the second consecutive year.“I hope it doesn’t come to that, but I would definitely consider it,” he said before Thursday’s practice."
The Steelers will need to kick it into overdrive to keep Bell. He is the league’s most dynamic back and the fulcrum of the talented Pittsburgh offense.