Steelers GM Kevin Colbert told reporters on Sunday that they’ve put negotiations with franchise RB Le’Veon Bell negotiations on hold during free agency and draft.
“We’re not intentionally ignoring that. More urgent business needs to get taken care of,” Colbert said, via Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. “We will reassess where that is. He’ll reassess where his interests are as well. I anticipate us continuing that process once we get through the free agency period and maybe even through the draft. The draft can change things on both sides.”
Colbert did, however, say that rescinding franchise tag is unlikely and he’s still hoping Bell will be in attendance for the start of training camp.
“Hopefully Le’Veon comes to training camp. Hopefully he’s a part of a winning team in 2018,” Colbert said. “We’ll react to every situation as it presents itself. But we’ll never sit around and talk about what-ifs.”
A few weeks ago, Bell said on Instagram Live that he won’t sit out the 2018 season if they’re unable to get a long-term contract in place before the July deadline.
However, Bell did say that he will once again skip training camp.
“Honestly, no, I’m not going to sit out. I’m going to be in the facility Week 1,” Bell said, via ESPN.com. “It’s going to be a rerun of last year. I’m not going to [training] camp. I’m not doing nothing else extra, OTAs, none of that. …
“I’m going to strictly go to what I have to go to. I want to win every game. I want to have the best statistical career that I possibly can, so I want to play in every game that I can possibly play.”
The Steelers had said that they were hoping to have Bell with the team for training camp, as they felt it impacted him a bit to start last season. Although, it sounds like they won’t get their wish unless they’re able to come to terms on a long-term extension.
The 2018 franchise tag should run Pittsburgh close to $14.5 million fully guaranteed.
Bell, 25, is a former second-round pick of the Steelers back in 2013. He played out the final year of his four-year, $4,120,600 rookie contract that included a $1,376,800 signing bonus and was in position to be one of the best players in the free agent market when he was franchised.
Bell will make around $12.3 million fully guaranteed for the 2017 season under the tag.
In 2017, Bell has appeared in 15 games for the Steelers and rushed for 1, 291yards on 321 carries (4 YPC) to go along with 85 receptions for 655 yards receiving and 11 total touchdowns. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 9 running back out of 58 qualifying players.
We’ll have more regarding Bell and the Steelers as the news is available.
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