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4pm deadline looms

Depends on how cutthroat he and his agent want to be come contract time. The Steelers are not going to going to do a ridiculous contract like some other teams will, trust me. They'll get outbid by the a few teams who are desperate and are willing to handcuff themselves against the cap for awhile. It just comes down to whether a player values a couple extra million or being on a winning team. If the money trumps winning for him, he'll go elsewhere.

Disagree. If the FO puts him out BC they won't pay, BB will chime in again. So then they need to make him happy. Catch 22
 
Sign up Big Al long term now. Bell is done for now. No need to worry on him.
 
easy.
word it to revolve around games suspended for by the commissioner, to be reviewed by the team and if the infractions were due to ingestion of illegal substances, but not PEDs, then guaranteed money is removed from the contract going forward and the final year(s) become team-option and the highest pay rate available would be 5th of the top 5 paid at his position, subject for contract review after the third year. offer a 5 year contact (player security) and $45 mil overall, with $15-20 mil in incentives.

The problem is that, someone, will give him the big $$ without any restrictions, so why would he sign ours?
 
Yeah he may have screwed himself. I don't see how he can improve his position. He runs the risk of injury again, or getting into trouble again and then he will get next to nothing.
 
If he has a good season, next year it will be the same dance. Im confident the Steelers offered him reasonable. He wants to reset the market and he is a special player. Its his position that is a problem.
 
Not surprised at all. I'll be happy if they get big Al signed and have money to keep other key players.
 
If he has a good season, next year it will be the same dance. Im confident the Steelers offered him reasonable. He wants to reset the market and he is a special player. Its his position that is a problem.

and weed

and unfortunately injuries
 
I read the article in the link and it states Bell will be the highest paid RB next season with the tag @ $12.12 mill.......the next highest RB salary is Sean McCoy at $8 mill....I always thought they took the average of the top 5 salaries of the given year to determine the Tag rate.....Does anyone know how it is figured out?

Adrian Peterson's 15 million per year screwed it up for us. Even though he was released it was on the books.
 
Tuitt definitely before Big Al but get both done.
I wanted Bell on a four year deal and reasonable money didnt happen. Truth is these things are mostly won with the big men up front. And that is two pretty good big men. The Steelers have won without Bell and have never been to the SB with him. Its done,move on. Go win a SB Leveon and you can name your price here or elsewhere.
 
another Bell thread? no problem



or he could sit out


I predict we will see a LOT of James Conner till Sept


Just like I perdicted



Le'Veon could hold out until mid-late August


According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, unsigned franchise player Le'Veon Bell may not report to Steelers camp until "mid-to-late August."

As Bell has not signed his $12.1 million franchise tender, he is not obligated to report to training camp or any football activities.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/8390/leveon-bell
 
If bell has been on the field, both from injury and off the field I'd say like ab ---->pay the man. He hasn't. He is an incredible talent, maybe the best on the team but. Yeah the but.

He is worth every penny but we need to field a complete team to win the whole thing.
 
Depends on how cutthroat he and his agent want to be come contract time. The Steelers are not going to going to do a ridiculous contract like some other teams will, trust me. They'll get outbid by the a few teams who are desperate and are willing to handcuff themselves against the cap for awhile. It just comes down to whether a player values a couple extra million or being on a winning team. If the money trumps winning for him, he'll go elsewhere.

Which is more than likely the case. :(
 
I'm fine with this predicament. Our cap situation is good. There will be room to keep franchising him. And in truth it's probably less over the next two years than he wanted.

Next year it will be tag again and if he starts to really cause a stink or things this year didn't work out, you trade him and get (likely) very high compensation back for him. Or you offer him the same deal as this year and see what happens.

RB's being out all through training camp is not a big deal. Offensive scheme is the same. Playbook will be the same (mostly). Terminology will be the same. Come week 1, he will still be an effective player. And by week 4 he'll be back to 100%. If we really need Bell to beat Cleveland week 1 we're in more trouble than we think.

He's not going to sit out games when the check for each one is $700,000 per game.
 
I don't mind if he sits out training camp. As Del said, he'll be fine once the games start. I also think it's a stretch to reset the running back market like he wants. You're talking about at least $4 million more than the next highest paid running back and I just don't know about that. If he hit the FA market, there will be some team out there that has to spend that would probably do something, but I wouldn't expect it to be the norm.
 
No gloom and doom here. We have him on tag this year and sure to have him on tag next year. By my calculations he will be both injured and out of his prime by end of next season anyways. Weather he likes it or NOT, he will be a STEELERS for this and next.





Salute the nnation
 
Next years tag for him will be around $14M. Not worth it. This is his last season with the Steelers.
 
Next years tag for him will be around $14M. Not worth it. This is his last season with the Steelers.


If this is his last year, we will get trade value out of him next year. EITHER way we are winners.





Salute the nation
 
Bell On Depressed RB Market: ‘I Can’t Be The Guy Who Continues To Let It Take A Hit’


BY DAVE BRYAN JULY 17, 2017 AT 08:10 PM



The Pittsburgh Steelers failed to work out a long-term contract extension with running back LeVeon Bell by Monday’s deadline but on the surface, the team’s former second-round draft pick has no ill will toward the organization, even though he somewhat sarcastically said on his Snapchat account earlier in the evening that he apparently needs to get better after failing to strike a new deal.

“It’s a little frustrating but it’s a business,” said Bell, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. “I’m not in a rush to sign for something I’m not valued at, if I feel I’m worth more than what they are offering me.”

Bell, who didn’t reveal to Fowler the kind of money the Steelers offered him prior to Monday’s deadline, did say that the organization didn’t attempt use his past injuries against him during the negotiating process and that he’s still optimistic both sides can reach an extension agreement after the 2017 season is over.

“I definitely don’t want to play for anybody else,” said Bell of the Steelers, according to Fowler.

Bell also told Fowler that he accepts the fact the running back market took a big hit this offseason that resulted in LeSean McCoy of the Buffalo Bills being the highest paid at the position at just a little more than $8 million when it comes to currently active long-term deals. With that said, he hopes to be the one to revive the market by playing under the $12.12 franchise tag he received from the team during the offseason.




“I can’t be the guy who continues to let it take a hit,” Bell said, per Fowler. “We do everything. We block, we run, we catch the ball. Our value isn’t where it needs to be. I’m taking it upon myself to open up some eyes and show the position is more valuable.”

With Bell now on a one-year deal, he has all the incentive in the world to not only stay healthy for an entire season, but out of trouble with the league office as well. He certainly has the potential to register 2500 yards from scrimmage in 2017 as evidenced by the stats he posted in just 12 regular season games played in 2016.

A solid 2017 season could ultimately result in Bell receiving the franchise tag from the Steelers again next offseason if a new deal can’t be consummated between the two sides prior to that deadline. That tag amount, however, will be $14.554 million, which could still be way above market value for running backs just as his $12.12 franchise tag was this offseason.

In the meantime, it will be interesting to see how Bell handles the team’s upcoming training camp as he’s not tipping his hand yet as to when, or even if, he’ll report to Saint Vincent College in Latrobe this year. I will also be worth watching to see if him standing his ground this offseason winds up helping another running back in the league who might sign new long-term extensions prior to the start of the 2017 regular season. Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman, specifically.

As of Monday night, it appeared as though Bell, who has yet to sign his franchise tender, is in Miami, where he’ll likely continue training at Bommarito Performance Systems until at least the start of training camp and perhaps even longer.

I myself dont see anything wrong with what he said
 
I read a 247 article that said we offered him more than 12m but guaranteed money was the hang up.
 
Yep, I kinda saw this coming. I'd say there is a 25% chance he's a Steeler after his contract is up. Just from the tone of his comments he wants to break the market open for RB's and get his full respect. He's probably as good as gone after next year I think. And he will go to a ****** team and get his respect there.
 
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On the field he is the best in the business. I see no problem with him trying to set the market for his position. Sucks it might not be in the Burgh. Someone is going to pay him and he'd be a fool not to take it. Hopefully the cap goes up again and we can find away to keep him. I dont see nothing wrong with guys who put in the work to be the best and go out and perform that way getting what they deserve. I know some will talk about the injuries and suspensions. Thats fine but other teams are not going to factor that into the discussion.
 
Steelers, Bell need each other to succeed
Steelers, Bell need each other to succeed
July 17, 2017

Just as having Ben Roethlisberger (7) on the roster makes the Steelers an immediate Super Bowl contender, so, too, does having Le’Veon Bell in the lineup. - Associated Press
PITTSBURGH – When the Steelers placed an exclusive rights franchise tag on Le’Veon Bell in February, they knew there was a chance they would be unable to negotiate a long-term extension with the All-Pro running back.

The deadline to do so came and went at 4 p.m., Monday and Bell left the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex knowing he’ll play this season for $12.12 million – when he finally signs his offer sheet.

“Unfortunately, we were unable to agree to terms on a long-term contract with Le’Veon Bell prior to today’s deadline,” said General Manager Kevin Colbert in a statement Monday afternoon. “Le’Veon is scheduled to play this year under the Exclusive Franchise Tag designation. We will resume our efforts to address his contract situation following the 2017 season.”

There has been plenty of speculation surrounding the situation.

Some say Bell should skip training camp. The Steelers should run Bell until the wheels come off, say others.

Both are silly thoughts.

As soon as Bell signs the franchise offer sheet, his contract becomes fully guaranteed.

That means if he tears up his knee during training camp, the Steelers owe him $12.12 million.

If he gets into a car accident and can’t play another down, the Steelers owe him $12.12 million.

But if that were to happen between now and when he signs his deal, he gets nothing. The Steelers are under no obligation to pay him a dime.

Four seasons into his NFL career, Bell has taken home $3.8 million. That’s a hefty sum for you and me. But for a player who has put up 6,050 yards in 47 career games – an average of 128.7 per game – it’s peanuts.

Getting $12.12 million to play this season is life-changing money. And it’s more in line with what Bell should be paid, despite a depressed market for running backs in the NFL.

As for those who feel the Steelers should run Bell “until the wheels fall off,” they are simply rehashing a 10-year-old quote from head coach Mike Tomlin.

Tomlin once famously said he would run Willie Parker until the wheels come off. Turns out, they did.

But Bell is not Parker.

Parker was a good running back, one whose game was built around his speed. Bell is a great running back, perhaps the best in the league.

Speed is fleeting – no pun intended – in the NFL. Once it goes, so does the rest of your game.

Bell, however, might be the most complete running back to come into the league in a decade. He is excellent as a runner. He’s outstanding as a receiver. And he’s every bit as good as a pass blocker.

Tomlin has run Bell almost exclusively in each of his first four seasons in the league and the results have been great. The Steelers are 33-18 in the past four seasons with Bell in the lineup. They are 11-9 when he doesn’t play.

That record includes a 1-3 record in the playoffs when Bell doesn’t play. They’re 2-1 with him, which includes the handful of carries he got in last year’s AFC Championship loss before leaving with a groin injury.

He’s obviously had his issues, be they injuries or violations of the NFL substance abuse policy. When he plays, the Steelers have a much better chance to win.

Running him into the ground makes no sense. If anything, Tomlin should ease Bell’s load to make sure he’s available in the postseason.

The Steelers have a team built to contend for the Super Bowl this season. Chances are, they’ll also be in the mix in 2018, especially if quarterback Ben Roethlisberger comes back again.

And they’ll have an even better chance to win so long as they have Bell carrying the football.

At the end of this season, the Steelers will again try to sign Bell to a long-term extension. If that doesn’t happen, they’ll place the franchise tag on him again and start this process all over.

Just as having Roethlisberger on the roster makes this team an immediate Super Bowl contender, so, too, does having Bell in the lineup.

Running him into the ground accomplishes little except making sure this team doesn’t achieve its ultimate goal.

Bell needs the Steelers for obvious reasons. They’re paying him a lot of money. But they need him just as much to succeed.

Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.
 
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