After learning more about what his status would be for next season under the NFL’s CBA, there’s now a “real possibility” Le’Veon Bell won’t report to the Pittsburgh Steeler by the franchise tag deadline of November 13.
According to The Athletic, Bell and his camp confirmed that the running back would count as a third-year franchise player in 2019 even if he doesn’t sign his $14.5 million tender this season.
What that would mean is that in order to tag him next year as a franchise player, the Steelers would have to commit to paying Bell $25 million in guaranteed money.
That number is high enough that the team would likely either release Bell into free agency or place the transition tag on him. Either option would allow Bell to seek a deal from another team which is what he has been seeking all along.
(Under the transition tag, the Steelers would have the option to match any offer Bell was able to secure from another team and retain him.)
“The new information to Bell’s camp has them weighing their options as the deadline approaches,” according to The Athletic. “There’s now a real possibility that Bell won’t report by the deadline.”
Bell has been in Miami working out this season but did leave Monday to head to Pittsburgh.
Fairwell Miami 👋🏾
— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) November 5, 2018
Clearly, based on this report, that doesn’t mean he’ll be returning to the team.
If he doesn’t, he’ll have more time to watch college basketball like he was doing last night.
bro, Duke is goin CUHHHRAZY right now..
— Le’Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) November 7, 2018
Whether you’re looking to get into shape, or just get out of a funk, The Charge has got you covered. Sign up for our new wellness newsletter today.
