Path is clear for Le’Veon to hit market

General managers, start your bidding.

Le’Veon Bell will indeed get to the free-agent market without any hindrance from the Steelers. Pittsburgh general manager Kevin Colbert said Wednesday the team will not use a tag on the star running back.

“Le’Veon is still a great player. We can’t afford to use any other type of tags,” Colbert told reporters. “Le’Veon will be an unrestricted free agent at the start of the new league year.”

There had been speculation the Steelers could have used the transition tag on Bell — giving them the right to match any contract offer and potentially get something back for him through a trade — but they will let him go without a fight.

With plenty of cap space at their disposal, the Jets could be in the thick of the race for Bell, the three-time Pro Bowl running back who sat out all of last season after refusing to sign the franchise tag. Safety Jamal Adams has already begun the recruiting process, which the Jets will be able to officially join when the 27-year-old becomes a free agent on March 13.

Bell appears ready to hit the open market in a few short weeks, tweeting Wednesday, “Free at last, Free at last, Thank God Almighty I am free at last.”

The Jets may be in on another Steelers weapon, too, if Antonio Brown gets his wish for a trade. The wide receiver has been vocal about wanting out of Pittsburgh and recently met with owner Art Rooney in Florida to talk about it.

Colbert said the Steelers are now open to trading Brown if it makes sense for the team.

“By no means are we going to make a trade or any type of move that will not be beneficial to the Pittsburgh Steelers organization,” Colbert said, adding that releasing Brown was not an option.