AFC North Notes: Steelers, Bell, Browns

As good as Le’Veon Bell has been for the Steelers, Albert Breer of The MMQB sees both sides of the coin. Bell has been an electrifying force for years, but history dictates that the Steelers have probably seen the bulk of his prime already. With questions about whether Bell can continue to perform at such a high level for at least the next three years, the Steelers’ are right to have reservations about giving him significant guarantees on a long-term deal, Breer argues.

The Steelers’ final offer to Bell was reportedly worth $70MM over five years, but contained only $10MM in fully guaranteed money. Similar to last season’s offer, Bell would have made $33MM over the first two years “in a rolling guaranteed structure,” resulting in $45MM over three years.

While you ponder Bell’s future in Pittsburgh, here’s more from the AFC North:

• If No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield looks good this offseason, could the Browns trade Tyrod Taylor to a team that loses its quarterback to injury? Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com doesn’t envision that happening since coach Hue Jackson wants to win immediately and doesn’t want to have a rookie learning on the job. Cabot isn’t sold on Taylor’s long-term future in Cleveland, but she believes that he’ll open the season as the Browns’ starter and remain with the club through at least 2018.
• Ravens’ guard Marshal Yanda is on the PUP list because of a shoulder surgery he had after the season, not because of his ankle issue (Twitter link via Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com). There is no timetable on his return, but the team believes he will be ready for the regular season. “We’re going to be cautious with him,” coach John Harbaugh said.
• A Bengals rookie has retired to join the ministry.