All-Pro running back Le’Veon Bell won’t be playing football this season. Bell, who is holding out the entire season, failed to report to Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday when it was the last deadline for him to sign his franchise tag and play this season. By doing so, the 26-year-old walked away from $14.5 million.
“I want to confirm that Le’Veon Bell did not sign his Franchise Tender today and, as a result, he will not be eligible to play football during the 2018 season,” – said Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert in a statement.
After intense contract negotiations in the offseason, Le’Veon Bell rejected a five-year, $70 million offer from the Steelers because of the contract’s low $17 million guarantees. Pittsburgh then placed a second-year franchise tag on him, which prompted Bell not to play at the start of the season in order to preserve his body.
Despite holding out deep into the season, it was believed that Le’Veon Bell would end up showing up in week 11 and play out this year. In early October, he was fully committed to returning to Pittsburgh and playing in 2018.
“I’ll be fully committed and give you everything I have,” – said Bell. “I still want to go out there and win a Super Bowl with the Steelers.”
The thing that might have changed Le’Veon Bell’s mind is the fact that the Pittsburgh Steelers don’t need him any more thanks to the emergence of second-year veteran James Conner. In the first half of 2018, Conner managed to top Bell’s production from the previous seasons and give Steelers security at the running back position.
Now, Steelers could place a franchise tag on Le’Veon Bell in 2019 as well, but that would cost them $25 million-plus, which is probably a bit too much for their taste. They also have an option of using a $14.5 million transition tag, which would give them an opportunity to match any contract offer Bell receives next year.
