Le'Veon Bell is about to get screwed again, both by the Steelers and the system.
The Steelers are expected to apply the franchise tag to Bell for the second consecutive year now that both sides blew through a soft February 20 deadline to get a long-term deal done. A second franchise tender will pay Bell about $14.5 million in 2018. Bell played for the one-year, $12.1 million franchise tender last season; before that, he essentially worked for spare change plus tips under the terms of his four-year rookie contract.
Bell rushed for 1,291 yards last season. He led the NFL with 321 carries. He led all running backs with 85 receptions and finished second to Todd Gurley with 1,946 scrimmage yards. With all due respect to Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown, the Steelers offense would have twiddled its thumbs through most afternoons if Bell were not there to absorb 25 touches per game.
- Comment
