And will continue to go up (the cap) for the forseeable future..
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Is Le’Veon Bell hinting at leaving Pittsburgh?
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And will continue to go up (the cap) for the forseeable future..
Football Outsiders’ Bold Offseason Suggestion For Steelers Is To Trade Le’Veon Bell
BY DAVE BRYAN MARCH 1, 2018 AT 12:56 PM
In an effort to spice up the offseason, writers for Football Outsiders have taken on the task of suggesting one bold move for every NFL team to make in the coming weeks and months on ESPN.com. When it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers, specifically, Robert Weintraub suggested that they trade running back Le’Veon Bell. Below is Weintraub’s reasoning:
The Steelers’ defense was shredded by Jacksonville, of all teams, in the playoffs, and was never the same after linebacker Ryan Shazier’s injury (though Pittsburgh managed a respectable ninth in defensive DVOA for the season). Now that we know Shazier won’t make it back on the field in 2018 (and possibly beyond), Pittsburgh’s defense needs help, in the back seven especially. Unfortunately, the Steelers’ salary situation (the team is right on the edge of the cap) will make it tough to add players — and signing Bell to the rich contract he envisions would require the team to cut loose guys it could use on defense.
Meanwhile, Bell, while a tremendous player, quietly wasn’t the game-wrecker in 2017 he had been in the past. He ranked eighth in DVOA among running backs and only 28th in efficiency when it came to catching passes out of the backfield. He did manage to stay healthy for the entire season, but that has not been the trend during his career. And while Bell remains a special talent, the Steelers’ passing attack will allow the team to score in bushels with or without a standout runner.
So deal Bell to the 49ers for the No. 9 overall pick, or perhaps to Philly for No. 32 and a defensive player or two (the other Keystone State squad has plenty of them). This will allow the Steelers to restore their defense to what we expect of them, while keeping financially flexible for the years ahead.
This is indeed a bold suggestion and quite honestly, not even that realistic. Sure, the Steelers could indeed trade Bell but first would need to tag him and actually then need his cooperation in order to do so. Analysts make tag-and-trade scenarios seem like they’re very easy, but the fact of the matter is that they aren’t. Besides, the Steelers would not be able to get great trade compensation for Bell, in my honest opinion.
Trading Bell away would also create a big hole in the Steelers offense that would need to be filled and probably by more than one player. Bell is an every-down running back and able to contribute in any situation and that includes pass protection.
The Steelers have said several times over the course of the last few weeks that their goal is to sign Bell to a long-term contract extension this offseason. They said the same thing a year ago and both sides ultimately failed to reach an agreement after the franchise tag was placed on Bell. This year the Steelers will again place the tag on Bell if they can’t sign him to a new contract prior to the March 6 deadline.
Even if a repeat of last year happens, the Steelers need to retain Bell for the 2018 season as they’ll be able to work around his $14.54 million salary with relative ease. After the 2018 season is over, Bell can be allowed to leave via free agency after hopefully another All-Pro season complete with 400 or more total touches. The Steelers would then likely receive a third-round compensatory draft pick in 2020 for losing Bell.
In short, Weintraub suggesting the Steelers trade Bell is beyond bold as it’s borderline ludicrous. He could have come up with another bold suggestion that was a little more realistic.
BY DAVE BRYAN MARCH 1, 2018 AT 12:56 PM
In an effort to spice up the offseason, writers for Football Outsiders have taken on the task of suggesting one bold move for every NFL team to make in the coming weeks and months on ESPN.com. When it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers, specifically, Robert Weintraub suggested that they trade running back Le’Veon Bell. Below is Weintraub’s reasoning:
The Steelers’ defense was shredded by Jacksonville, of all teams, in the playoffs, and was never the same after linebacker Ryan Shazier’s injury (though Pittsburgh managed a respectable ninth in defensive DVOA for the season). Now that we know Shazier won’t make it back on the field in 2018 (and possibly beyond), Pittsburgh’s defense needs help, in the back seven especially. Unfortunately, the Steelers’ salary situation (the team is right on the edge of the cap) will make it tough to add players — and signing Bell to the rich contract he envisions would require the team to cut loose guys it could use on defense.
Meanwhile, Bell, while a tremendous player, quietly wasn’t the game-wrecker in 2017 he had been in the past. He ranked eighth in DVOA among running backs and only 28th in efficiency when it came to catching passes out of the backfield. He did manage to stay healthy for the entire season, but that has not been the trend during his career. And while Bell remains a special talent, the Steelers’ passing attack will allow the team to score in bushels with or without a standout runner.
So deal Bell to the 49ers for the No. 9 overall pick, or perhaps to Philly for No. 32 and a defensive player or two (the other Keystone State squad has plenty of them). This will allow the Steelers to restore their defense to what we expect of them, while keeping financially flexible for the years ahead.
This is indeed a bold suggestion and quite honestly, not even that realistic. Sure, the Steelers could indeed trade Bell but first would need to tag him and actually then need his cooperation in order to do so. Analysts make tag-and-trade scenarios seem like they’re very easy, but the fact of the matter is that they aren’t. Besides, the Steelers would not be able to get great trade compensation for Bell, in my honest opinion.
Trading Bell away would also create a big hole in the Steelers offense that would need to be filled and probably by more than one player. Bell is an every-down running back and able to contribute in any situation and that includes pass protection.
The Steelers have said several times over the course of the last few weeks that their goal is to sign Bell to a long-term contract extension this offseason. They said the same thing a year ago and both sides ultimately failed to reach an agreement after the franchise tag was placed on Bell. This year the Steelers will again place the tag on Bell if they can’t sign him to a new contract prior to the March 6 deadline.
Even if a repeat of last year happens, the Steelers need to retain Bell for the 2018 season as they’ll be able to work around his $14.54 million salary with relative ease. After the 2018 season is over, Bell can be allowed to leave via free agency after hopefully another All-Pro season complete with 400 or more total touches. The Steelers would then likely receive a third-round compensatory draft pick in 2020 for losing Bell.
In short, Weintraub suggesting the Steelers trade Bell is beyond bold as it’s borderline ludicrous. He could have come up with another bold suggestion that was a little more realistic.
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That still doesn't mean you should give the guy whatever he's asking. There are still limited resources to build a team and they have to be deployed to give the team the best chance to win.
One major difference between the Steelers and a lot of the other teams in the league is they don't overpay and aren't afraid to part ways if someone is asking for more than they're willing to pay. .
Mike Wallace was a prime example. Put up ridiculous numbers for a few seasons, led the league or was top 5 in many categories, was in his prime, but asked for too much money (sound familiar?). Some would say he was irreplaceable at the time and it was dumb to let him walk but that's exactly what they did because there wasn't enough money to pay him his asking price and field a SB caliber team at the same time. There are actually a lot of parallel's to Wallace and Bell's situations. Hopefully a reasonable deal can be worked out but I see this one might end similarly...and probably rightfully so.
It's decisions like that which make the Steelers at least competitive every single season and why there aren't these big ups and downs you see with most other teams in the league from year to year as they pay guys big money either in free agency or to keep their own even though letting them walk may have been the better decision.
He deserves to be the highest paid RB, but not at his asking price. If he goes elsewhere and gets it good for him, but not here. I do not think he's worth what he's asking and obviously neither do the Steelers. What they offered him last year was beyond fair. He claims he should get wr money, well he finished 4 in receiving yards, had a very low yards per catch, and only 2 TDs.
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Cut....LOL. How do you cut a person who isn't under contract? Come on Coach tell us, please. Then if he does sign the tag if offered we will NEVER cut him. And take a 14.4 cap hit? Really Coach? The other option is if we sign him long term. Again we would never cut him if he did sign long term. Unfortunately I don't see Coach taking you up on this bet Sup. About as much chance of him doing that as there is the Browns trading for Bell. Zero.
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I don't know...We made a bunch of players the highest paid or damn near close to being just that over the last 10 years. In the past we couldn't...Anymore we do pay them. Usually our own but nevertheles we do still pay them. Now of course you can't pay them all, but neither can other teams pay everyone.
Bells value us so much more than YPC. If the OC and the QB used him properly he would get about 60-70 yards rushing per game and 130 receiving consistently. Imagine for a second if Brady was throwing him checkdowns
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That's all he caught last year, was check downs, White, who Brady throws check downs to actually had a lower ypc than Bell. He averaged 80+ yards rushing per game
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Yeah but not one of those players were asking for twice as much as the second highest paid at their position.
Imagine if AB was asking for close to 30 million per last off-season, or Ben asking for 40 million per season.
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The difference is he trying to reset the market for backs being utilized the way he does..
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Something - among other things - I really don't understand
Let's say Bell is tagged for the $14.5 million and he holds out until week 10. I am assuming we don't have to pay him for games he doesn't play but does the amount we "save" by not paying him for games he doesn't play still count against the cap? In other words, do we have to keep the full $14.5 million cap hit in 2018 for the entire season or do we get 1/16 of that back for every game he doesn't play? Personally, I think it's idiotic to allow a player to deliberately sit out the majority of the season and still have it count as a full season. If he holds out can he be suspended by the team so the year doesn't count?
Let's say Bell is tagged for the $14.5 million and he holds out until week 10. I am assuming we don't have to pay him for games he doesn't play but does the amount we "save" by not paying him for games he doesn't play still count against the cap? In other words, do we have to keep the full $14.5 million cap hit in 2018 for the entire season or do we get 1/16 of that back for every game he doesn't play? Personally, I think it's idiotic to allow a player to deliberately sit out the majority of the season and still have it count as a full season. If he holds out can he be suspended by the team so the year doesn't count?
Did you see this board erupt with keyboard warrior strength when Pouncey got his last contract? So many people saying we could replace him with his backup and Pouncey wasn't worth his cap figure. I understand that we need to pay everyone on the team and not overpay when we don't need to. The FO makes those decisions., not us. They aren't cutting Bell. They aren't trading Bell. He's getting tagged or he's getting a contract. Guy's like Jarvis, Ziggy Hood or Mendenfumble you let walk. We know that and we acknowledge that but we shouldn't be missing on our first round draft picks either. We need those picks to turn to gold because we aren't active free agent buyers because this team actively pays its draft picks who earn a second contract. Bell has earned that next contract. The question is how much is it worth. If they make it happen its likely a 2-3 years contract where they can cut him with minimal cap hit as he ages, which is how business is done in this league now.
RBs have used like that along time.
So what is your stance on this? They should give him what he wants? The offer last season was not fair.
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There hasnt been many 3 down backs in awhile. Because teams began to use RBs by committee. And then when the league became even more pass happy RBs value dropped. There was a time when it was nothing for a RB to be considered to go No 1 overall. Not any more..
No i hope they come to a number thats fair for both. Just because we may not be able to pay him what he thinks he can get on a open market doesnt mean he should just take what he is being offered by us. The man is on a historic pace and doing great things and should get paid as such. And not get devalued by what RBs are getting when he is clearly doing more then that..
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I was on the fence with the numbers the Steelers offered last off season. I imagine Bell is asking for more this off season. Do I begrudge him wanting as much as he wants? Nope, but at his asking price I would just move on from him....even with him being the alltime great RB that he is and all(or what ever you think he is). I think we can just be as effective without Bell. Does the RB that replaces him do everything that Bell does now for us? Most likely not. Others will have to help pick up in other areas. I remember when Wallace was asking for his pay day. A few were saying that we couldn't replace Wallace and his TD's( I believe Wallace was doing somethings that weren't done before also). The fact is we did. Just how it is. If Bell isn't around someone else will be. All we have to do is hand them the ball. And with as great as some on here says our OL is...... it should be that much easier for the next guy.
Bell's per-game average of 129 yards from scrimmage since 2013 is the most by an NFL player in the first five years of a career since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger.
Its not just what i think its what he is doing..
And wallace sucked..deep threat only..a good one but just a deep threat.
Its not just what i think its what he is doing..
And wallace sucked..deep threat only..a good one but just a deep threat.
The amount is fully guaranteed for 16 or 6 games. What I haven't seen yet, which could be done, is to suspend a player for 2 weeks for conduct detrimental to the team when they return week 10. You do that, you own his rights the following year as well if he's under contract. The fact that Bell is playing on a tag would not apply, though the argument could be made that he's playing for a 2nd tag not a 3rd tag if tagged again without playing 6 games.
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I am so tired of this subject. Bell is a great running back love to watch him play. would rather see us use the money on defense. but quite honestly I just don't care how it turns out as much as I care that it is just over and done with.
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GREAT explaination and I too would wonder the outcome of said example. It is rediculous of having to pay the full year and ONLY him able to show up in week 10. Now if he got hurt in week one then that would be the daily risk of any NFL player but not showing up "HOLDOUT" and still getting paid is rediculous but CBA approved. It is going to get very hairy in the new CBA negotiations......... But in the end the players will cave due to I want my money syndrone and will settle for paychecks NOW. This BELL contract is going to play out sooner or later and I feel it will be a later and the STEELERS will be held hostage in a way that Bell feels he is forced to play it out.
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And they offered him a contract that made him by far the highest paid RB and put him in the top 10 wrs, even though he's not a top 10 wr. He turned it down.
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If he wants to reinvent the position and what they get paid, maybe he should've showed in shape last season and worked his burst and speed instead of rapping. I don't think Bettis's longest run of a season was only 27 yards as a Steeler and teams keyed on him every play.
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Damn good debate, seriously both sides.
But the Steelers will continue to hold the cards, and do what is best for them. And Bell will continue being a lug head. Let's face it RBs aren't known for their high intellect.
Both sides will continue giving inches, and by the deadline someone will flinch. And a contract will either be signed, or Bell will be tagged to give both sides more time.
For me it doesn't get interesting until that tag comes and against significant odds Bell plays on it.
If that day comes then you can worry, or be relieved one way or another.
I just don't get the vibe it will come....
But the Steelers will continue to hold the cards, and do what is best for them. And Bell will continue being a lug head. Let's face it RBs aren't known for their high intellect.
Both sides will continue giving inches, and by the deadline someone will flinch. And a contract will either be signed, or Bell will be tagged to give both sides more time.
For me it doesn't get interesting until that tag comes and against significant odds Bell plays on it.
If that day comes then you can worry, or be relieved one way or another.
I just don't get the vibe it will come....
Again he doesnt have to take what the steelers offer..and its ok to be ok with that
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And it is ok as a fan to not care if the Steelers decide not to resign him and move on...
If Brady was throwing to Bell it would be basically unstoppable. No one throws a guy open short better than Brady EVER. Ben gets to Bell so late in the progression that the linebacker engages as the ball is thrown he is ready for the tackle. I literally scream at my tv. Dump it off now. 5 or 6 times a ****** game. Ben is a hell of a qb but his short game throwing a guy open is *** and his screen game is one of the worst Ive seen.