Despite reports that Le’Veon Bell and the Steelers are more likely to reach a long-term deal this year than they were last year, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports that the two sides have yet to make major progress towards a multi-year contract.
The deadline for teams to apply the franchise tag to prospective free agents is Tuesday, March 6, and at this point, it looks as if Bell will be tagged for the second consecutive year (although GM Kevin Colbert continues to talk to Bell’s representatives, and he reportedly hopes an agreement will be reached by Tuesday’s deadline). Of course, if Bell is hit with the tag, he and the Steelers would still have until mid-July to negotiate a new deal.
In something of a humorous side note, Bell is getting a little help in these negotiations from teammate Maurkice Pouncey. As Fowler notes, Pouncey has taken to Instagram to support Bell, suggesting that if the star RB does not have a new deal by the time the 2018 league year opens, Pouncey will personally speak with Colbert, head coach Mike Tomlin, and team president Art Rooney II to try and facilitate matters.
This year’s franchise tender for running backs would pay Bell around $14.5MM for the 2018 campaign, which gives him a platform on which to negotiate a long-term contract. Last summer, Bell rejected a five-year offer that would have paid him a guaranteed $30MM over the course of the first two years (and $60MM overall), but after putting together another excellent season in 2017, he could exceed both of those figures if he and Pittsburgh can finally work something out in the coming months.
Pouncey actually acting like he has pull in the organization?? Lol. Dude needs to shut his mouth, and go back to his ‘Free Kaepernick’ cause. What an as.s-hat!
Why don’t you try shutting up, Douche
Tf is you talking about he’s a leader on the team
Prob don’t even really watch football
Idk bout all that. But pounceys a decent guard for the knicks
Standing up for his teammate makes him an a**hat? So would it be better if he threw him under the bus and said he deserves nothing?
Fed up with Bell wanting to brag about being the top paid RB rather than being a Steeler. I hope the Steelers don’t cave and just tag him.
He’s trying to help set the market for future RBs. He wants to be a Steeler but he also wants to help the guys at the RB around the league. Its the same with QBs when they seek a big deal. He’s willing to retire so obviously for him its not about the money. But he’d be doing a disservice to other RBs if he was to take a bad contract, especially the RBs that do everything for their team (Johnson, Gurley, etc).
Bell isn’t worth all that. He’s a great back for a thug. I’ll take David Johnson over Bell any day Of the week. DJ is all that and still a class act. L Bell is all that and a thug.
Yea… he’s a thug because he smoked weed. Go back to Klan rally so you can marry your sister.
Not sure why you went there….it has nothing to do with race. Last checked David Johnson is of the same race. I just don’t have much patience for players that feel they are above the game. It’s a privilege to play in the league. Some players get it, some don’t. I’m just one person with one opinion. I’d respect yours if you would care to share it instead of you’re nonsense about family you don’t even know and totally bogus irrelevant comments about the klan.
REALLY??? So you don’t like it when people insult you?? Yet, You have no problem calling Bell a “Thug”. Bell has NEVER been in trouble, outside of smoking weed, I would like to know how you came to the conclusion he was a “Thug”. Some of US White people understand it when others throw around that term
Finally an opinion. I respect your opinion. Your opinion of me I could care less. That’s the juvenile response I expected. You did see my first post right , I said he’s a great back. I would rather have someone with more class that’s all. WhTs the deal , do you hang his picture on the wall or something … wow. Just sayin
Oh and yes. Smoking weed is against league rules.As I said, a league that is an absolute privilege to play in. If you can’t play by the rules , get out. When he retires with all the money he wants, he can climb a mountain and sit up there and smoke a joint as big as a tree if he so chooses. In most of the world if you fail a drug test for work you’re fired. Why should NFL be any different.
Sooo…. again, he’s a THUG for smoking weed?? Don’t call people names if you don’t wanna be insulted in return. You knew EXACTLY what you were saying when you said. Keep being a Douche though
I could care less about being insulted considering the source. Compared to others as talented he’s a thug. Again, we all have opinions. So be it. Best of luck enjoy stroking Mr Bell!
All the Yinzer-loving keyboard heroes are out in full effect, I see. “Yay, let’s act hard because I’m not but I’m anonymous!!”
Worst. Troll. Ever.
lmfao that really was a terrible job…
No rush. Pittsburgh can always tag him again. If he follows through on his threats to retire or sit out the year, he’s missing a solid chance to win a title and gonna let down his teammates.