Update:
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports that the Steelers have informed RB Le’Veon Bell he’s being franchised barring a last-minute deal. According to Fowler, the Steelers have improved their offer to him from last year, but the $14.5 million he’ll make in 2017 is now his floor.
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According to Ian Rapoport, the Steelers are expected to use their franchise tag on RB Le’Veon Bell for the second straight season, despite some optimism that they would be able to get a long-term deal done before the Tuesday deadline.
Even so, the two parties plan to continue working on a long-term extension in the coming months.
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 and be an unrestricted free agent again in the coming months.
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 had him featured in our Top 100 – 2018 NFL Free Agents list.
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