Steelers, Bell again unable to reach deal
$167 million to $177 million, the Steelers upped their offer, but not enough to entice him to sign the contract.
Bell can strike it rich with a team that is willing to go higher in March, but that strategy has its risks. If Bell suffers another major injury — he has had three season-ending injuries in the past four years — his bargaining power significantly will decrease, especially if it’s a third knee injury.
But if Bell is able to stay healthy, there is a strong likelihood a team with cash to burn will pay him significantly more than the Steelers were willing to offer.
But that’s more than six months in the future. The Steelers and Bell likely are married for the remainder of 2018. The only question now is when Bell will report and sign the tender.
He skipped training camp and all four preseason games in 2017. He did not report until Labor Day, six days before the season opener in Cleveland.
Bell has the option to skip regular-season games while receiving credit for an accrued season of service as long as he reports by Week 11. He would forfeit more than $900,000 for every regular-season game he misses, but that approach considerably would lessen his injury risk.
Bell has not recently indicated he will consider that option, but it is something he can hold over the Steelers as the summer progresses. The Steelers in turn have the option to withdraw the franchise tag at any time, thrusting Bell into free agency at the most inopportune moment — after teams spent most of their salary cap space in free agency.
A year ago, head coach Mike Tomlin said he was in regular contact with Bell about when he would report. Unless Bell has developed animosity toward the team in the latest round of negotiations, Tomlin’s strong relationship with him should result in a similar outcome.
Bell reported to the team in shape, but it took him some time to get back into sync with teammates — four weeks, to be exact. The Steelers were fortunate to win two of their first three games, as Bell was largely ineffective in all three.
Bell might not be able to do anything about another extended absence, but his teammates said they will be better prepared to deal with it this year.
“I think we did learn something,” offensive lineman Ramon Foster said recently. “I learned we have to give a little bit more, and I’m OK with that. The guys are OK with that. Coach Tomlin said whatever you gave last year; expect to give a little bit more.”
In his first five seasons with the Steelers, Bell has rushed for 5,336 yards, caught 312 passes for 2,660 yards and scored 42 touchdowns. He has earned AllPro honors twice and made the Pro Bowl three times.