Steelers Set Feb. 20 Deadline To Get Long-Term Deal Done With Le’Veon Bell

Steelers RB Le’Veon Bell tells Jeremy Fowler of ESPN that Pittsburgh has set an artificial deadline of Feb. 20 to negotiate a long-term extension.

This happens to be the first day for teams to begin using franchise tags on players.

According to Bell, both parties want to get an agreement in place before this deadline.

“That is definitely the goal,” Bell said.

Fowler adds that this doesn’t mean both sides can’t continue to negotiate after this date, but this is at least something to watch in the coming weeks.

On Wednesday, Bell said that the Steelers have already presented him with extension offer and they are “a lot closer” now than they were last year.

“We are a lot closer than we were last year,” Bell said, via ESPN. “I’m happy and the Steelers are happy right now where we’re at. Obviously we have to continue to get it done.”

Bell added he wants to prevent his contract situation from being a distraction again this year.

“I want to make sure everything is good,” Bell said. “I’m not trying to play the same episode again. We need something new. … Make everybody happy so everybody can come into the season and we don’t have no distractions.”

A few weeks ago, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported that the Steelers aren’t buying Bell’s threat to sit out the 2018 season or possibly retire if they use their franchise tag on him for the season straight season. Rapoport added that the Steelers are still expected to franchise Bell again in 2018 if they can’t reach an agreement on a long-term deal before free agency.

Bell is expected to be seeking at least the $16 million per year he was asking this past summer as part of a long-term deal.

Last July, the Steelers’ final offer to Bell was reportedly worth $30 million over the first two years of the agreement, which is more money than Bell would have made under two franchise tags. Beyond that, the deal would have paid Bell an average of $13 million per year, which is huge money for a running back these days.

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 have him featured in our Top 100  – 2018 NFL Free Agents list.