According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, the Steelers are still planning to use the transition tag on RB Le’Veon Bell this offseason.
La Canfora mentions that the transition tag would be the precursor to the Steelers eventually trading Bell with the Jets and Eagles being potential landing spots.
The transition tag would give them the right of first refusal on any offer Bell receives from another team. Although, Pittsburgh would not receive any compensation for him if they declined to match an offer sheet from another team.
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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