Steelers will not extend Bell this season

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...-run-have-to-see-if-extension-fits-this-year/

Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell missed the final eight games of the regular season and both postseason games because of a knee injury, which marked two straight years that the Steelers have advanced to the playoffs without Bell in the lineup because of knee issues.

Throw in a foot injury from his rookie year and Bell hasn’t made it through any of his three NFL seasons without an injury, but that doesn’t appear to have much impact on the team’s plans to hold onto him for the long term. Team president Art Rooney II said Thursday that the team thinks Bell “will still be a great player,” although he’s not sure if they’ll reach agreement on an extension this offseason.

“[Bell] is somebody we would like to continue to have on the team for the long run,” Rooney said, via Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “I don’t think we aresitting here waiting to see something from Le’Veon. I think we’ve seen enough. It is going to come down to how his contract fits in with others. It is kind of a jigsaw puzzle.”

Bell has some say in the matter, of course, and negotiating a long-term deal coming off of a season-ending knee injury might not make the most sense for him. If he makes good on Rooney’s prediction that he’ll be a “great player” as his contract expires in 2016, he’d put himself in better position at the negotiating table so that jigsaw puzzle may just have to wait a while.

 

I just hope he doesn't hold out

 

I thought I heard it mentioned on The Fan radio show that it would be almost $11M to franchise a RB in 2016 but if they wait until next year, Adrian Peterson's contract will be over and will significantly decrease the franchise tag number for 2017.

I admit that I was 1/2 paying attention, maybe someone else heard it?

 

Even though Bell is probably the best overall back in the league right now, I wouldn't break the bank on him. Running back is one of the easiest positions to fill.

 

Agree. If the Steelers had just signed Steven Jackson last month, they'd be on their way to the Super Bowl right now.


----Yes, I went there....

 

Bit if Bell was in the game against Denver he wouldn't have fumbled, so we'd be on our way to the Super Bowl

 

injury prone and a doper.
good call on waiting another year to evaluate him

 

Weak. The kid is a stud. We should wait to see if his knee is healed, but if he looks good thought camp and the first couple games we should absolutely sign him.

I know we have a lot of money invested in other players, but we really need to keep impact players like Bell. I think that's a pretty clear message that AB is getting 15mil plus a year, and we will only be able to keep Bell if we can find a way to stay under the cap with his and Ben's big contracts.

 

But if he leaves here and goes to another team, for whom will the Bell toil?

 

He'd be possibly cheaper to extend now versus 2017. If he stays healthy...a big IF...he will blow up in this offense, and then cost a mint in 2017. I say extend NOW.

This article was on NFL.com this AM.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...ney-leveon-bells-future-is-here-with-steelers

 

This one is just going to run and run.

(For about 2 yards a carry, at least.)

 

Why don't we change the thread title to "Rooney wants Bell on the team for the long run"?

 

Don't forget you could always franchise tag Bell after this season.
That would make for sure, that The 4 B's would be here at least the next two seasons.
Highly unlikely, because Brown, Bryant, and Bell would be UFA after that second season.

Bell's knee injury doesn't scare me, look at how well Adrian Peterson has played after his knee surgery.
Going to be very hard to afford these guys. The only saving grace may have Big Ben, who this year will be 34 this season.
He will be 35 for the 2017 season. His 5 year deal that he signed, was very front end loaded with half the 99 million was paid over the 1st two seasons. So even though he is getting paid a ton in those years, his deal is much more friendly for the team in the last 3 years of his contract.

But, let's enjoy the next two seasons, because it could get a little crazy after that.

 

I'll bet he gets a new contract this year, and Art Rooney said they are not worried about his knee, neither am I, Bell will be in shape and raring to go when training camp starts....

 

Why would they not do it now ? He is 1 of if not the best RB in the NFL, the Team has the Power now and it will cost them big after he has a big year . Makes no sense to me to wait ..

 

Dangit! I've been had! (again)

 

Rather be had and sign Bell than not..I hope is just a lure I swallowed whole.

 

I half agree with this. Because of two knee injuries, I wouldn't break the bank either. With our recent history of the RB revolving door, your other point is semi-debatable...

 

Loved Phil Hartman's version