Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Steelers are still planning to use the transition tag on RB Le’Veon Bell, even though they have no intention to match an offer sheet he receives in free agency.
Dulac says Pittsburgh is, however, hoping to be able to trade Bell. Although, this will be difficult, considering that it would require Bell to sign the transition tender before the Steelers could trade him and it’s highly unlikely that Bell and his agent would cooperate.
The transition tag would run the Steelers between $9.5 million to $14.5 million for the 2019 season, depending on the outcome of an arbitration hearing.
If Pittsburgh declines to match an offer Bell would receive from another team, they wouldn’t receive any compensation for losing him. The Steelers could rescind the transition tag if there’s no trade to be made and recoup a 2020 compensatory pick.
Bell reportedly turned down a five-year, $70 million offer from the Steelers that included $33 million guaranteed, so he’ll be looking to top those numbers in free agency.
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, but Pittsburgh used their franchise tag on him.
Last year, the Steelers decided to franchise Bell for the second straight year, but he elected to hold out the entire 2018 season and set himself up for free agency in 2019.
In 2017, Bell 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 had him rated as the No. 9 running back out of 58 qualifying players.
We have him featured in our Top 100 – 2019 NFL Free Agents list.
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