Bell: Talks closer than prior negotiations

[Steelafan77]

Le'Veon Bell: Contract talks 'a lot closer than last year'

By Chris Wesseling
Around the NFL Writer
Published: June 26, 2018 at 12:04 a.m. Updated: June 26, 2018 at 09:46 a.m.

Is Pittsburgh Steelers franchise player Le'Veon Bell planning to sit out training camp for the second consecutive summer?

After placing No. 5 on NFL Network's The Top 100 Players Of 2018, Bell said he is optimistic about reaching an agreement on a new contract that would facilitate his arrival at camp on time.

"Yeah. You know regardless that's what I want to do," Bell explained on The Top 100 Players of 2018 Reactions show. "I don't want to have the replications of what happened last year. But if that came down to that, obviously I got to do what I got to do. Take my stand and protect myself. I don't want to have to do that. I want to go to camp and play for the Steelers long term."


Although Bell and team president Art Rooney each expressed hope early in the offseason that a deal will be reached, the All-Pro running back has since threatened a "rerun of last year" when he sat out camp and reported in time for the season opener.

Set to earn $14.5 million under the franchise tag, Bell has until the league-mandated July 16 deadline to finalize a long-term contract. His target number in negotiations has been $17 million annually, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported last month.

Bell turned down last offseason a five-year deal worth more annually than the 2017 franchise-tag figure of $12.1 million, Pelissero added. Somewhere in between those two numbers lies a middle ground that Bell believes the sides can find this time around.

"Obviously, the people in the organization try to do what's best for them and I'm trying to do what's best for me," Bell added. "We're working on it. We're a lot closer than we were last year at this time. That's what I'm happy about. None of that matters if we don't get it done. Hopefully we'll try to get something done. That's what I'm looking forward to. I got confidence we'll get it done. I want to do it."

If the two sides can reach a compromise by mid-July, Bell will arrive at Latrobe as a happy camper. If negotiations fall apart, on the other hand, Bell will likely enter yet another contract year without the benefit of summer practices to knock off the rust and gain the trademark synchronicity with his offensive line.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap300000 ... -last-year

Fishing for clicks? Still think a deal gets done?

[alancac98]

I hope they don't sign him. The idiots should have used the other tag and let the market set his price. We would be paying no more than 9 million per year if they were smart enough to use it.

[bradshaw2ben]

I hope they don't sign him. The idiots should have used the other tag and let the market set his price. We would be paying no more than 9 million per year if they were smart enough to use it.

completely agree

I think Bell's sea change is all about the fact that the backup RB corps is now better than average, possibly enough to replace him at a much lower price tag.

I think the Steelers would be foolish to give him more than $36M guaranteed. Does anyone think Bell has more than 3 elite, top of the NFL-type seasons left? I don't see that happening.

[Kodiak]

If they offered about 5/$60M last year, then I'd be offering 4/$48M this year. I wouldn't budge. Basically the exact same place everyone would be if he took that deal last year.

Which is too high. I hope they don't sign him to a long-term deal. I'm sure pride & ego will mean he'll have to find some way to justify taking a good bit less money than PIT originally offered, but at that point good riddance.

[Thrillsseeker]

I think the deal doesn’t get done.

Call it greed whatever.

I’m in the camp that’s still scratching their head at why DeAngelo Williams wasn’t retained.

Do I want the deal to get done? For SBI

Do I care if they don’t? Nope, as long as someone fills in adequately and we still win the SB

[steelmann58]

Anyone really believe that a long erm deal will get done? If Bell asking price stays high it one and done here in pittsburgh. I also agree the steelers blew this by not using the other tag and trying to do the right thing by Bell.

[Jobu]

Do I want the deal to get done? For SBI

Some might argue that NO deal would be SBI...

[Louis Lipps Service]

Do I want the deal to get done? For SBI

Some might argue that NO deal would be SBI...

I'm scared shitless that they'll sign Bell to a big, long term deal.

I don't /think/ they're going to do it. I think they're already preparing for life after Bell....but the possibility still scares me.

[tbsteel]

Anyone really believe that a long erm deal will get done? If Bell asking price stays high it one and done here in pittsburgh. I also agree the steelers blew this by not using the other tag and trying to do the right thing by Bell.

I definitely think it's possible. There's no doubt in my mind that Tomlin is pushing hard for it, that's his workhorse. Ultimately I think Bell would have to concede and come down to 11-12 million per year than the 15-17 range he had been looking for. I would be surprised, but not absolutely stunned, if that happens.

As an aside, I think Le'veon is going to catch 100 passes this year.

[bradshaw2ben]

As an aside, I think Le'veon is going to catch 100 passes this year.

I'll take that bet... no freaking way.

I think the offense/playcalling is about to get a lot more diversified.

[Legacy User]

I am firmly in the sign him camp. Le’veon Bell is a future HOFer. We have a unique opportunity with our offensive talent.

Bell is probably going to get moren targets in the passing game than anyone not named Antonio Brown. Functionally, he is more than a running back on this team. We shouldn’t be comparing his value to the running back market. He understands that and it’s true.

I get that our running back corps could be better this year and the younger guys are looking promising. Both of them excite me, and that’s actually a great position to be in for those of us who want to sign him. We’re all worried about the wear and tear on Bell, who’s had his fair share of major injuries. Having two versatile and talented backs that can take snaps for Bell is a great way to protect a major investment like Bell.

Of course they could try replace him with them, but one is totally unproven and the other’s major weakness last year was pass protection. Bell excels at pass protection and is an elite dump-off option. And though reports suggest he’s shown improvement in minicamp, I’d prefer not to have no other option than Connor. Signing Bell shores up two vulnerabilities at once.

Am I saying he should get every penny that he asks for? No, I don’t think any team will give him quite that much. But I think that if you’re the Steelers you have to find a way to keep him. Money can be found. Maybe 7 retires sooner rather than later. Maybe some young talent develops and we don’t need to keep middling veterans the way we tend to. Maybe the salary cap increases under the next CBA. Bell says he wants to get it done. Both sides need to make it happen.

[Havoc]

I hope they do not sign him.

The offense is better when the football is going downfield to the wrs and Mcdonald.

[tbsteel]

As an aside, I think Le'veon is going to catch 100 passes this year.

I'll take that bet... no freaking way.

I think the offense/playcalling is about to get a lot more diversified.

I just think making Bell a more dynamic factor in the passing game, rather than the safety valve he was last season, is going to be a point of emphasis. Whether that ends up with more catches this year (85 in 15 games last year) will remain to be seen, that's obviously a huge number, but I definitely can see a significant uptick in his YPC in the passing game. Just think they're going to get more creative with how they use him in the passing game.

[bradshaw2ben]

Might be, TB, but I think Bell was overused last year. The quality of his chances is going to improve, but the volume is going to go down. That's best for everybody, especially as Bell gets more miles on him, and especially since there appear to be some significant adds, like a healthy MacDonald, James Washington, and Jaylen Samuels.

I keep going back to the Christmas Day game vs the Ravens (2016) and the Ben evisceration of Indy earlier that year. They passed it all the way down the field and then got it to Bell to finish off the drives. That seemed to be a great formula for this team and I'd hoped they would do more of it vs their playoff opponents... but they went right back to garbage gameplans/playcalls.

[swissvale72]

Sign him!! He's a knucklehead....but I love him!

[Steelafan77]

How I'm looking at it is there is more to this than just Bell. Yes there is more talent in the back field. Ridley, Conner and Samuels along with the unproven talent of Samuels there is the UDFA's and 1 season players hungry looking for a roster spot. The Oline is unchanged and is still a top talent in the NFL. Perhaps Bell sees the writing on the wall. I think if a deal is reached it will be significantly less than his unrealistic demands of $15Mil to $17Mil per. If that's the case, sign him up. I like the approach Kodiak suggested.

[Thrillsseeker]

Do I want the deal to get done? For SBI

Some might argue that NO deal would be SBI...

Totally agree. I think for this year I lean more towards sign him now for the win this year/now SBI but I understand that could be argued too.

[Stallworth16]

Bell is 26 years old, he might have a lot left in the tank. Last season he started off slow after skipping camp. But by game 4 onward, he was very good. The question with Bell is can he produce at his highest level, or will wear and tear catch up to him. His touches per game have been danger zone for years.

My guess is Bell can stay great for about 4 more years but it’s a gamble. His health is the biggest concern, not his attitude. He can be one of best all-time, and that could be a big motivator for him.

I don’t think Bell’s production would be easy to replace. And I don’t think the Steelers would be better without him.

[stairway 2 seven]

No i dont want to be in cap hell you can sign 3 good fa players for what this guy wants long term.

[Kodiak]

The problem is, as a receiver Bell is a lot more like old, old Hines Ward than anything else. He's just not one to turn those dump-offs into 15-20 yard gains any more. And while he may run routes like a receiver, he's not a tough coverage assignment because he's slow.

The Bell who averaged 4.7+ a carry and 9-10 yards per reception is worth that money. The one from last year that averaged 4.0 and 7.7 is not.

[DP39]

One thing is for sure, whatever Bell is making this year, it's going to be a large enough number that Tomlin will run his wheels off. Tomlin has always been a guy that if the player is highly paid, he'll demand the offense (or D) runs through him. Ben, AB and Bell, count on it. That's also why I think he'll demand McDonald (up from $2.5 to $4.5 this year) be more involved in the game plan.

It's all about earning your salt with Tomlin.

[Legacy User]

Bell makes the team better no question.

That said I don’t put him in the top 5 impact players, maybe not top 10 if you consider D and specials.

I think samuels and Washington coupled with Haley leaving will open up this offense more so.

So if bell doesn’t reach a long term deal I’m not losing sleep.

[Kodiak]

With Bell almost certainly gone next year, I'd take every opportunity to find out what I have behind him.

But, Tomlin.....

[Legacy User]

Bell probably overplayed his hand too. Last year was his time I agree but this year is totally different. He’s a year older. Steelers are more diversified on O. Other teams have 2 drafts of top RB now.

My guess is the market is drastically reducing year over year for bell. Steelers could probably play real hardball and not even do a deal at this point. Although Colbert tends to love his picks. If I’m them I have a much lower offer on the table now, and only going lower.

[steelmann58]

Yes if the avg does drop he not worth 14 million and especially since he really has no breakaway speed.

[Steelafan77]

AB says Pay Da Man!

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-videos/0a ... -seriously

[bradshaw2ben]

The absolute ceiling for me is $50M guaranteed. I'd rather see 5-6yrs $42M guaranteed.

[LakecrestSteeler]

I’d sign him if one has the opportunity and can afford it. If they sign him I will trust that they know what they are doing.

He has gas in the tank. He has the elusiveness to avoid big hits. Has the injuries out of the way to make him wiser.

If Ben were to get hurt and you have Bell, you could possibly still put together a run to the SB.

Without Ben and Bell, no way!

[Legacy User]

If Ben were to get hurt and you have Bell, you could possibly still put together a run to the SB.

I doubt it.

[Thrillsseeker]

If Ben were to get hurt and you have Bell, you could possibly still put together a run to the SB.

I doubt it.

I doubt that too.

Bell is replaceable and a few new pieces have been added. So it’s feasible to get by without Bell.

Ben is not replaceable. He goes down = no shot at SB.