Steelers’ Bell tagged second straight year
Le’Veon Bell keeps saying he wants to stay with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers keep saying they want to keep one of the NFL’s best running backs in the fold for years to come.
They have until July 16 to make it happen.
The Steelers placed the exclusive rights franchise tag on the two-time All-Pro for a second straight spring on Tuesday, putting Bell’s long-term status with the club up in the air.
Bell, a two-time All Pro, accounted for 1,946 total yards and 11 touchdowns for the AFC North champions in 2017. Bell and Steelers management said after the season they hoped to get a contract extension done quickly, but they failed to do so by Tuesday’s deadline for teams to use the tag.
Bell is scheduled to make $14.54 million in 2018 if he signs the franchise tender and the two sides are unable to reach an agreement on a new deal. He skipped offseason workouts and training camp last summer before signing the tender on the eve of the regular season. The absence led to a sluggish start, though he was an indispensable part of Pittsburgh’s offense once again, breaking his own club record by catching 85 passes.
The 25-year-old made the 2017 All-Pro team at the “flex” position, one he considered a tribute to his versatility. Bell said repeatedly over the last year he believes he’s different from other backs in the league and wants to be paid accordingly. He is arguably the best receiving back in the NFL and he’s averaged nearly 25 touches a game in five seasons, though he’s been healthy at the end of the year only twice. Bell also has twice been suspended by the NFL for violations of the substance abuse policy.
Bell turned down a longterm deal with the Steelers last summer and told ESPN in January he would consider retiring if the Steelers used the franchise tag on him again. He backtracked a bit during the Pro Bowl when he said he believed a new contract was in the works. It was a sentiment echoed by both Steelers president Art Rooney II and general manager Kevin Colbert early in the offseason.
Pittsburgh’s depth behind Bell is thin. James Conner carried 32 times in his rookie season and the club signed Stevan Ridley at the end of the season.
Dolphins owner backtracks
Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross says he won’t force his players to stand for the national anthem, even though he believes kneeling is a counterproductive way to promote social justice.
Ross’ comments in a team statement came after the New York Daily News reported that he said all of the team’s players would stand for the anthem in 2018.
Refs retiring
Referees Ed Hochuli and Jeff Triplette are retiring.
Hochuli, among the most recognizable of officials because of his muscular build, joined the league in 1990. Triplette came on in 1996.
One of the replacements will be former back judge Shawn Hochuli, Ed’s son.
Etc.
Linebacker Aldon Smith, released by the Oakland Raiders this week, surrendered to police who said he is a suspect in a domestic violence incident. He was released on $30,000 bail . ... The Buffalo Bills signed running back Chris Ivory to a twoyear, $3.25-million deal . ... The Carolina Panthers locked up kicker Graham Gano with a four-year contract worth $17 million . ... The Chicago Bears placed the transition tag on veteran defensive back Kyle Fuller, guaranteeing him $12.9 million next season and giving them a chance to match any offer in free agency . ... The Washington Redskins resigned safety Deshazor Everett to a multiyear deal.