On Monday, Steelers GM Kevin Colbert issued the following statement regarding franchise RB Le’Veon Bell, who is not in attendance for the start Week 1:
“We are disappointed Le’Veon Bell has not signed his franchise tender and rejoined his teammates. Coach Tomlin and the coaching staff will continue to focus on preparing the players on our roster for our regular season opener on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.”
There’s still a chance Bell could report to the team in time to play in Week 1’s game, but it’s not a great sign that the Steelers felt it was best to issue a statement on the matter.
Bell skipped the Steelers entire training camp for the second straight year after the two sides were unable to come to an agreement on a long-term deal.
Bell and his agent have made it clear that 2018 is likely to be his final season in Pittsburgh.
“His intention was to retire as a Steeler,” Bakari told Adam Schefter. “But now that there’s no deal, the practical reality is, this now likely will Le’Veon’s last season as a Steeler.
“It became clear the Steelers wanted to pay the position, not the player.”
It’s unlikely the Steelers will be willing to tag Bell for a third straight season, which means he should be one of the marquee free agents to watch in 2019.
Bell, 26, 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.
The Steelers used the franchise tag on Bell again this offseason, which means he stands to make $14.5 million fully guaranteed for the 2018 season before testing the open market as an unrestricted free agent next year.
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.
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