What is the real story on Bell's options?

[Ike Kelly]

The Steelers screwed the pooch when they tagged him without giving him options to work out a compensation package for them. They knew how he felt regarding the 2nd tag, they also knew how he felt about their offers. As an owner, I would have allowed him to work something out while still holding the power of veto. The Steelers let their egos get the better of them, just like Bell has done also.

Have to disagree on this MT. They tagged him Exclusive, because they still wanted him. Even before they tagged him the 2nd time Bell intimated “they were real close”, “I don’t want to play anywhere else”. Steelers offered him money in the range he asked BEFORE his “reset the market” and “paid like a 1 RB, 2 WR became a focus of contract terms.


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[SteelerFan448]

Have to disagree on this MT. They tagged him Exclusive, because they still wanted him. Even before they tagged him the 2nd time Bell intimated “they were real close”, “I don’t want to play anywhere else”. Steelers offered him money in the range he asked BEFORE his “reset the market” and “paid like a 1 RB, 2 WR became a focus of contract terms.

I agree. There were hints he would return after camp and his teammates reacted like he'd be there for the start of the season. Bell just seems to make it up as he goes.

 

[ZonaBurgh]

I agree. There were hints he would return after camp and his teammates reacted like he'd be there for the start of the season. Bell just seems to make it up as he goes.

Yep this, so speculating before the close of business on Tuesday is moot. Only Bell knows what he will do, and fwiw, I think that changes minute to minute.

 

[stillwright]

No matter what anyone says, expect it to be contested and arbitration will necessary. Bell is betting on the big contact when Steelers try to stick it to him with transition tag


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I don't see it that way. The way I see it is the Rooney's just move on from Bell. That said I wish they would pursue it via arbitration. Get max compensation as possible. It has just been to much bullshit the last 2 seasons tagging Bell. In the end, the Rooney's most likely just part ways and they each go their own way.

 

[Coach]

This best sums up Bell's mental state.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAfEiuAsXOQ

 

[FSF]

If Bell's agent is just researching this information now then Bell's agent is really bad at his job.

He’s horrible at his job either way


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[Coryea]

I still maintain Me'Veon's agent is at the bottom of all this. For Bell to continue to stay away from playing to enhance his value, forfeiting somewhere around $9 million (to date), is a foolish strategy and makes no sense.
Introducing the new Dumb and Dumber?

No, I think it's Bell. His agent agreed to the long term deal and wanted Bell to sign that deal prior to the 2017 season, then Bell backed out. His agent is just along for the ride

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[SteelerAl]

The Steelers screwed the pooch when they tagged him without giving him options to work out a compensation package for them. They knew how he felt regarding the 2nd tag, they also knew how he felt about their offers. As an owner, I would have allowed him to work something out while still holding the power of veto. The Steelers let their egos get the better of them, just like Bell has done also.

I don't think the type of franchise tag (exclusive vs. non exclusive) has had any affect on the situation. Ed Bouchette just wrote a really non-sensical article making the claim that it did. Over the summer (when teams would have had a chance to talk to Bell's agent and pursue a trade for him) the Steelers would not have traded Bell for the compensation he was likely to garner. Teams really don't spend big money AND premium draft picks on RBs with injury history and the workload that Bell had endured since Michigan St.