According to Jeremy Fowler, Bell said he might retire or sit out the whole season if he gets the franchise tag again... boy, some of these guys just can't keep their mouth shut about stuff. Why even talk about that right now?
Leveon Bell
- Thread starter mdk2
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Cmon not now please
Le'Veon Bell says he'd consider sitting out or retiring if tagged again
4:02 PM ET
Jeremy Fowler
ESPN Staff Writer
PITTSBURGH -- At age 25 and fresh off a first-team All-Pro season, Le'Veon Bell is putting his own football future in question.
The Pittsburgh Steelers running back told ESPN 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.
Bell played on a $12.1 million franchise tag in 2017, and the number is projected to increase to around $14.5 million for next season. Teams can tag a player between Feb. 20 and March 6, after which they would have until July 16 at 4 p.m. ET to work out a long-term contract.
"Just get the numbers straight exactly where we want them. I'm not going to settle for anything. I know what I do and what I bring to the table. I'm not going out here getting the ball 400 times if I'm not getting what I feel I'm valued at."
Le'Veon Bell
Last July, Bell turned down a long-term contract that reports said were worth up to $30 million in the first two years because he felt the team didn't value his full skill set.
Asked what the Steelers should do this offseason, Bell said simply: "value me."
"Just get the numbers straight exactly where we want them. I'm not going to settle for anything," Bell said. "I know what I do and what I bring to the table. I'm not going out here getting the ball 400 times if I'm not getting what I feel I'm valued at."
Bell rushed 321 times for 1,291 yards and caught 85 passes for 655 yards along with 11 total touchdowns in 2017. Bell's career average of 129 scrimmage yards per game is one of the best clips ever for an NFL player through the first five years of a career.
EDITOR'S PICKS
Bell: Steelers must capitalize on Killer B's
With running back Le'Veon Bell potentially facing free agency in 2018 and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's future status uncertain, the Steelers feel the urgency to win a Super Bowl this season.
Bell said he would "probably be done" with football if he did sit out 2018.
"It will eventually come down to me playing on the tag or not," Bell said. "They tag me again, it will be me (saying), 'OK, do I want to play on the tag or do I not want to play on the tag?' That's what it comes down to. If I was a free agent and they let me go, be a free agent, then yeah, I'm going to go explore free agency, test the market."
Bell is comfortable with his legacy in the game and makes clear he cares more about setting a precedent for running backs instead of making a few extra million dollars.
"I'm happy where I'm at," Bell said. "Football is kind of like my job, it's not something that makes me unhappy, but I don't need it to be happy. I've made the money that I feel I needed to make, my family would be good. I don't necessarily care if I get more money or not. Right now I'm playing it as, 'am I valued or not?'
"I don't necessarily care about the money aspect of it. I just want to be valued where I'm at. If I am playing this game, I want to set standards for all the other running backs behind me like Todd Gurley and Ezekiel Elliott, Melvin Gordon, guys like that. I'm a guy they can kind of look at. I feel I can do that. I'm in a position where I can do that and I'm going to do it."
Asked about leaving a productive career on the table, Bell cited his favorite player growing up, Barry Sanders, who retired with good years left in his legs.
Sanders played 10 years. Bell has played five. The years are irrelevant, Bell said.
"It's about leaving a legacy. People will always remember what you did," Bell said. "That's why I run the way I run. I feel like I wanted to run differently than everybody else did. And I want to do things that everybody else hasn't done. That's how I've envisioned everything going forward."
Bell hopes that vision includes a long, championship career in Pittsburgh. But on his terms.
"I want to be here, finish my career here," Bell said. "But, if not, I'll just handle it however I've got to handle it."
Bell might sit out 2018 or retire if tagged again http://es.pn/2qY0VrD
via @ESPN App http://es.pn/app
Le'Veon Bell says he'd consider sitting out or retiring if tagged again
4:02 PM ET
Jeremy Fowler
ESPN Staff Writer
PITTSBURGH -- At age 25 and fresh off a first-team All-Pro season, Le'Veon Bell is putting his own football future in question.
The Pittsburgh Steelers running back told ESPN 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.
Bell played on a $12.1 million franchise tag in 2017, and the number is projected to increase to around $14.5 million for next season. Teams can tag a player between Feb. 20 and March 6, after which they would have until July 16 at 4 p.m. ET to work out a long-term contract.
"Just get the numbers straight exactly where we want them. I'm not going to settle for anything. I know what I do and what I bring to the table. I'm not going out here getting the ball 400 times if I'm not getting what I feel I'm valued at."
Le'Veon Bell
Last July, Bell turned down a long-term contract that reports said were worth up to $30 million in the first two years because he felt the team didn't value his full skill set.
Asked what the Steelers should do this offseason, Bell said simply: "value me."
"Just get the numbers straight exactly where we want them. I'm not going to settle for anything," Bell said. "I know what I do and what I bring to the table. I'm not going out here getting the ball 400 times if I'm not getting what I feel I'm valued at."
Bell rushed 321 times for 1,291 yards and caught 85 passes for 655 yards along with 11 total touchdowns in 2017. Bell's career average of 129 scrimmage yards per game is one of the best clips ever for an NFL player through the first five years of a career.
EDITOR'S PICKS
Bell: Steelers must capitalize on Killer B's
With running back Le'Veon Bell potentially facing free agency in 2018 and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's future status uncertain, the Steelers feel the urgency to win a Super Bowl this season.
Bell said he would "probably be done" with football if he did sit out 2018.
"It will eventually come down to me playing on the tag or not," Bell said. "They tag me again, it will be me (saying), 'OK, do I want to play on the tag or do I not want to play on the tag?' That's what it comes down to. If I was a free agent and they let me go, be a free agent, then yeah, I'm going to go explore free agency, test the market."
Bell is comfortable with his legacy in the game and makes clear he cares more about setting a precedent for running backs instead of making a few extra million dollars.
"I'm happy where I'm at," Bell said. "Football is kind of like my job, it's not something that makes me unhappy, but I don't need it to be happy. I've made the money that I feel I needed to make, my family would be good. I don't necessarily care if I get more money or not. Right now I'm playing it as, 'am I valued or not?'
"I don't necessarily care about the money aspect of it. I just want to be valued where I'm at. If I am playing this game, I want to set standards for all the other running backs behind me like Todd Gurley and Ezekiel Elliott, Melvin Gordon, guys like that. I'm a guy they can kind of look at. I feel I can do that. I'm in a position where I can do that and I'm going to do it."
Asked about leaving a productive career on the table, Bell cited his favorite player growing up, Barry Sanders, who retired with good years left in his legs.
Sanders played 10 years. Bell has played five. The years are irrelevant, Bell said.
"It's about leaving a legacy. People will always remember what you did," Bell said. "That's why I run the way I run. I feel like I wanted to run differently than everybody else did. And I want to do things that everybody else hasn't done. That's how I've envisioned everything going forward."
Bell hopes that vision includes a long, championship career in Pittsburgh. But on his terms.
"I want to be here, finish my career here," Bell said. "But, if not, I'll just handle it however I've got to handle it."
Bell might sit out 2018 or retire if tagged again http://es.pn/2qY0VrD
via @ESPN App http://es.pn/app
Im getting pissed at the Pitt media. Seems like they are stirring up ****. Ask this **** when its over.
I shouldn't have opened this thread...
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He says football is a job and does not make him unhappy, but he doesn't need football to be happy. I'm worried if we do sign him to a deal he will take the signing bonus and retire the following year
I hate writers asking these questions around the playoffs. ******* agenda having twatwaffles.
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Need to also look for a RB in the draft now. I hope the Steelers don't cave to his ****. Offer the man a fair deal and if he decides to hold out or retire....let him.
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That's their job. Stupid RB running his mouth.
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Yeah...That's what I'm worried about.
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This is exactly why I am trying not to get too emotionally invested in the outcome of this season
Obviously, for some of our players, winning the Super Bowl isn't top of mind for them EVEN DURING THE ******* PLAYOFFS. So I don't see why I should care so much
That being said, I will. Because I'm a sucker. But this **** right here just annoys me. I understand wanting your money but there are *****MONTHS***** between the end of the playoffs and the start of the new season to talk about this
Obviously, for some of our players, winning the Super Bowl isn't top of mind for them EVEN DURING THE ******* PLAYOFFS. So I don't see why I should care so much
That being said, I will. Because I'm a sucker. But this **** right here just annoys me. I understand wanting your money but there are *****MONTHS***** between the end of the playoffs and the start of the new season to talk about this
Oh I get it is their job. Just perhaps ask the playoff questions now, and those type questions after the season.
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I wouldn’t worry too much now. Have to ride him through 3 more games this year. Bring him to the table and if he’s still thinking 17 million politely ask him and his agent to see if another team is willing to give him what he wants before the draft. There’s only a few teams that could and could have the ammo to trade for him. If he finds a match great. If he can’t then hopefully he comes back to the bargaining table with a better understanding where his value IS not where he perceived it to be.
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Yep. A time and place to run your your mouth. Now isn't the time in my opinion. If a reporter asks you about the Tag situation just say right now you are focused on winning the next game. Oh well.
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Sitting out doesn't help his cause unless he ends his hold out (week ten I think) to get credit for the season. He says he is doing it for the other guys...LOL. That's good because they could careless about Bell. When their time comes for their next contract I can guarentee you they will be only worrried about themselves. Not Bell sitting at home retired. LOL
This is a convo for after the season, or should be.
But if he becomes a signing problem again, I think they should get what they can get for him.
The days of saying that is over. Players care about money and themselves over anything else. They want to win, sure but it is definitely not top priority. Bell wants the money and he’s made it clear multiple times. Unfortunately, this will be his last year more than likely, run his *** into the ground for the benefit of the team.
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Why even bring up this distraction. We are so quick to be the “breaking news” in this board (see “Pittsburgh Dad” posts every week-like a mad scramble.) I can understand posting about an injury or feel good story, but some people just love to “break news” here. I get it, it’s a message board, that’s the whole purpose of this thing, but we are to fast on the trigger and we just fuel the fire of distraction. Let these distractions die on the vine. These idiots in the media can really turn a team upside down.
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BOOM!
HEADLINE NEWS!
Le’Veon Bell threatens to sit out next season if Steelers franchise him
PITTSBURGH -- At age 25 and fresh off a first-team All-Pro season, Le'Veon Bell is putting his own football future in question.
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.
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...tsburgh-steelers-sit-2018-retire-tagged-again
HEADLINE NEWS!
Le’Veon Bell threatens to sit out next season if Steelers franchise him
PITTSBURGH -- At age 25 and fresh off a first-team All-Pro season, Le'Veon Bell is putting his own football future in question.
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.
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...tsburgh-steelers-sit-2018-retire-tagged-again
Typical Bell. All he had to do was tell the reporter those are questions for after the season. But no.