With less than three weeks to go before the deadline for a pre-season extension, Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell is feeling fairly optimistic about a deal coming together. 
“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 said on NFL Network (via Chris Wesseling of NFL.com). “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.”
Bell is currently set to earn $14.5MM this year after being franchise tagged for a second straight year. The two sides have until July 16 to reach an accord on a long-term deal. If that doesn’t come to fruition, the two sides won’t be able to reconvene until after the season.
The dynamic running back is reportedly seeking $17MM per year on a new deal, a number that reflects his work as a top-flight running back plus his production as a receiver. Last year, the Steelers were only willing to offer him a $60MM deal with $42.5MM coming in the first three years of the pact. It’s not clear how much of that proposal was to be fully guaranteed at signing.
After the two sides were unable to reach agreement last July, Bell stayed away from the team until the last minute. This year, Bell has given mixed messages about what he’ll do if a deal doesn’t happen.
“Yeah. You know regardless that’s what I want to do,” Bell said when asked whether he’ll report to training camp. “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.”
Translation: “I messed up big by turning down that record breaking deal last season. I know that the Steelers are going to give me 450 carries this year until the wheels fall completely off, so yeah, I think I’m ready to sign”.
Steelers: “LOL. See you in Week 1”.
Oh yea… he messed up by making guaranteed 26+ million 2017/18 combined. Sounds about right
I’m a lifelong Steelers fan and I would love to see LVB stay. but with some of his comments, I don’t believe he knows what the real world is like or he has forgotten. i think what the team offered him last year was more than fair. he acts like it was an insult. wow!
So, what is “fair” to you means it should “fair” to the person that’s actually doing the negotiating? Next time you go in for a raise can you send me the details so I can decide for you If it’s “fair” or not??
I’m a lifelong Steelers fan and I’d be ok if Bell left. His stats are a reflection of the team not the other way around. I don’t want to see the Steelers tie up a bunch of money on a position player that is more replaceable than people think. If the Steelers could plug DeAngelo Williams into that system and get Bell like numbers, then any decent running back they put in there will play as well or good enough–and cheaper too.
Oh yea…. there are tons of running backs that can run/catch/split out like a receiver and pickup blitzes every time. Keep living fantasy land, dude
It goes both ways… “there’s tons of teams with a solid o-line, a hall of fame quarter back, and the best receiver in the league”. He’s a great player and can do a lot of things, but the Steelers are pretty good too.
lmao deangelo williams retired and your Steelers never winning anything again
Just become a receiver and refuse to run the ball. Steelers can go f themselves if they don’t wanna sign their franchise player long term