Le’Veon Bell is apparently announcing his retirement
Le’Veon Bell reportedly wants to be paid like a franchise quarterback. If not, he’s apparently willing to retire. It’s time to get the pension ready.
We’ve finally reached the tipping point.
Le’Veon Bell has held out all season, and there’s no indication that he will report to the Pittsburgh Steelers come Tuesday afternoon by the 4 p.m. ET deadline.
In essence, Bell either reports or misses the rest of the 2018 season — including the postseason — and will be eligible for free agency come March. Undoubtedly, the 25-year-old is going to have a litany of suitors, although his current demands would be a universal and immediate non-starter.
According to Pro Football Talk, Bell wants franchise quarterback money, which suggests something in the realm of $25 million per year. Sources continued to tell PFT that Bell would consider retirement if he isn’t paid as such.
Well, Le’Veon, enjoy the rocking chair.
Nobody is getting that kind of scratch unless they play the most important position in the sport, not the position with a shelf life at 30 years old and that many feel produces playmakers on a dime-a-dozen level.
Bell has been phenomenal in his career when on the field, notching 7,996 yards from scrimmage and 42 touchdowns over five seasons, despite missing 18 games over that period. The three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro will get ample offers that likely drive his price into record territory for a running back, perhaps $50 million in guarantees and $15 million per year in average value.
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Even with skyrocketing salaries and an ever-rising cap, that would be gigantic money for a running back. This year, only three backs have contracts that will pay them an average of $10 million or more through the deal, and one of them is Bell on the tag. The other two are Todd Gurley and David Johnson, both do-it-all talents in the prime of their careers. Gurley received $45 million in guarantees on his recent contract extension and Johnson got $31.9 million.
As a free agent, Bell will likely get more than both Gurley and Johnson. In the final analysis, Bell isn’t going to walk away from the sport he loves when $40 or $50 million will be headed into his bank account. Sitting out in 2018 without any long-term guarantees was one thing, but missing out on a megadeal is quite another. Don’t expect it to happen, even with the posturing and pontificating that goes with contract negotiations.