Pittsburgh Steelers are confident that the best football is still ahead of linebacker Bud Dupree, deciding to pick up the fifth-year option on his contract, which will see the 25-year-old stay with the time throughout the 2019 season. Steelers notified Dupree about their decision on Monday and confirmed it via their official Twitter account. His fifth-year option carries $9.232 million hit on the salary cap. According to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, the deal is guaranteed for injury.

We have exercised LB Bud Dupree’s fifth-year option from his rookie contract.

MORE: https://t.co/XlKg6E9Bxs pic.twitter.com/ImpbSvchhx

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 23, 2018

Bud Dupree signed a four-year rookie contract worth $11.22 million in 2015 after the Steelers took him with the 22nd overall pick. In the past three years, the player didn’t meet the expectations, since he often struggled with injuries. He managed 14.5 sacks combined in the previous three years, but never managed to get 6.0 or more in a single season. Dupree also had 90 total tackles and one forced fumble during his time in professional football.

Despite ups and downs in Dupree’s progress as a player, the Steelers are convinced that he has tremendous potential.

“I think Bud is just scratching the surface on what he can be,” – said Steelers’ general manager Kevin Colbert recently. “Playing another season with T.J. [Watt] and T.J. playing with Bud, I think those two will help each other grow as this thing continues to unfold.“

The post Pittsburgh Steelers Pick Up LB Bud Dupree’s Fifth-Year Option appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Pittsburg Steelers announced on Tuesday that they have placed the exclusive franchise tag on their running back Le’Veon Bell for the second year in a row. This means that Bell can only negotiate a long-term contract with the Steelers, and if both parties fail to reach a deal, he will play under the franchise tag for 2018 NFL season, which will be worth $14.5 million. Steelers and the 26-year-old running back have until July 16 to reach a long-term contract deal.

“We’re not coming to a number we both agree on — they are too low, or I guess they feel I’m too high,” – said Bell to ESPN about contract negotiations. “I’m playing for strictly my value to the team. That’s what I’m asking. I don’t think I should settle for anything less than what I’m valued at.”

After the 2017 season ended, Bell said he doesn’t want to be tagged again, and will consider early retirement or sit out the season if he ends up having to play under a franchise tag again. According to the reports, Pittsburg Steelers have increased their offer to Bell compared to the last year. He also had a two-year deal, worth $30 million from the organization which he also refused.

“I believe I am [confident]. … I think with both sides wanting to get something done. … I think that certainly aids your ability to get that done,” – said Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert back in February. “We do know that Le’Veon has been a great player for us. We think he can still be a great player from this point forward, and we would love to have him to be with the Steelers for the rest of his career.“

Le’Veon Bell had a league-high 321 carries in 2017 season while rushing for 1,291 rushing and having nine rushing touchdowns. He also added 85 receptions for 655 yards and two receiving touchdowns.

The post Pittsburg Steelers Place Franchise Tag on Le’Veon Bell for Second Year in a Row appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Pittsburgh Steelers are confident that the best football is still ahead of linebacker Bud Dupree, deciding to pick up the fifth-year option on his contract, which will see the 25-year-old stay with the time throughout the 2019 season. Steelers notified Dupree about their decision on Monday and confirmed it via their official Twitter account. His fifth-year option carries $9.232 million hit on the salary cap. According to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, the deal is guaranteed for injury.

We have exercised LB Bud Dupree’s fifth-year option from his rookie contract.

MORE: https://t.co/XlKg6E9Bxs pic.twitter.com/ImpbSvchhx

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 23, 2018

Bud Dupree signed a four-year rookie contract worth $11.22 million in 2015 after the Steelers took him with the 22nd overall pick. In the past three years, the player didn’t meet the expectations, since he often struggled with injuries. He managed 14.5 sacks combined in the previous three years, but never managed to get 6.0 or more in a single season. Dupree also had 90 total tackles and one forced fumble during his time in professional football.

Despite ups and downs in Dupree’s progress as a player, the Steelers are convinced that he has tremendous potential.

“I think Bud is just scratching the surface on what he can be,” – said Steelers’ general manager Kevin Colbert recently. “Playing another season with T.J. [Watt] and T.J. playing with Bud, I think those two will help each other grow as this thing continues to unfold.“

The post Pittsburgh Steelers Pick Up LB Bud Dupree’s Fifth-Year Option appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Pittsburg Steelers announced on Tuesday that they have placed the exclusive franchise tag on their running back Le’Veon Bell for the second year in a row. This means that Bell can only negotiate a long-term contract with the Steelers, and if both parties fail to reach a deal, he will play under the franchise tag for 2018 NFL season, which will be worth $14.5 million. Steelers and the 26-year-old running back have until July 16 to reach a long-term contract deal.

“We’re not coming to a number we both agree on — they are too low, or I guess they feel I’m too high,” – said Bell to ESPN about contract negotiations. “I’m playing for strictly my value to the team. That’s what I’m asking. I don’t think I should settle for anything less than what I’m valued at.”

After the 2017 season ended, Bell said he doesn’t want to be tagged again, and will consider early retirement or sit out the season if he ends up having to play under a franchise tag again. According to the reports, Pittsburg Steelers have increased their offer to Bell compared to the last year. He also had a two-year deal, worth $30 million from the organization which he also refused.

“I believe I am [confident]. … I think with both sides wanting to get something done. … I think that certainly aids your ability to get that done,” – said Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert back in February. “We do know that Le’Veon has been a great player for us. We think he can still be a great player from this point forward, and we would love to have him to be with the Steelers for the rest of his career.“

Le’Veon Bell had a league-high 321 carries in 2017 season while rushing for 1,291 rushing and having nine rushing touchdowns. He also added 85 receptions for 655 yards and two receiving touchdowns.

The post Pittsburg Steelers Place Franchise Tag on Le’Veon Bell for Second Year in a Row appeared first on SportzBonanza.