Le'Veon Bell raps that he wants $15 million a year on his next deal

[hawaiiansteeler]

Steelers' Le'Veon Bell raps that he wants $15 million a year on his next deal

by Jared Dubin
Sunday, Jul 03, 2016

http://cbssports1.cbsistatic.com/hub/i/r/2016/01/15/1a3544d0-0421-4691-a64d-f4d1e2d58541/resize/620x/4d766f6f2c719e34a32f8a284be20d95/leveon-bell-1400.jpg

Bell's latest rap track references his possible salary demands

Le'Veon Bell has been one of the NFL's best running backs through his first three seasons. A second-round pick out of Michigan State by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2013, Bell has rushed for 2,777 yards and also added 1,389 more catching passes out of the backfield. He's also totaled 22 touchdowns. And he's done that in 35 games. Over the course of three seasons, Bell's 119.0 yards from scrimmage per game paces the league.

Now, he is heading into the final year of his rookie contract on a deal that is set to pay him $1,311,100. That's obviously well below market value. Per Spotrac, he'll be the 45th highest-paid running back during the 2016 season.

Unsurprisingly, Bell would rather be compensated in a way that reflects his contributions. At least, if you take his latest rap track as gospel. As we've written multiple times before, Bell has a side career as a rapper that goes by the name of Juice. Per the Sporting News, Bell's latest track (titled "Focus") contains a line that references exactly how much he wants on his next contract, and why:

"I'm at the top and if not I'm the closest, I'ma need 15 a year and they know this."

Adrian Peterson has the NFL's top cap hit for a running back in 2016 at $14 million, but the next closest ball-carrier (Jamaal Charles) checks in at an average of $9,050,000. So a $15 million per year salary would represent a massive increase from what top running backs typically get. That seems pretty unlikely, even though Bell has proven himself to be one of the NFL's best.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/steelers-leveon-bell-raps-that-he-wants-15-million-a-year-on-his-next-deal/

[GBMelBlount]

Le'veon Bell
I think your playin swell
But if you think you're getting 15 mil you can go to hell.

[salamander]

Yeah, that ain't happening.

[Steeldude]

Stay healthy then talk. He simply isn't worth 15 million per year.

[Count Steeler]

Ask for what you want, but if you think you have a serious shot at $15mil a year, you ain't wearing the Black and Gold. The only way you get $15mil/year is in another city.

[lipps83]

Not worth even 7 million a year on this team. We can still be the top offense in the league with a lesser half back. This isn't the 90's NFL.

[ALLD]

He can get $15 million at a non-contender with lots of cap space and will never sniff the playoffs. He might not even get out of the backfield because there will be no blocking or defense.

[Count Steeler]

Actually, even $15mil Canadian would be a stretch.

[zulater]

It's a song. I'm not taking it literally even if it was meant that way. As of now the Steelers control his rights. Until that changes I'm not going to worry about it.

[steelreserve]

Hey, remember the franchise tag? You could probably use that on him for the rest of his career and not pay him $15M. So there's that.

[Steeldude]

He can get $15 million at a non-contender with lots of cap space and will never sniff the playoffs. He might not even get out of the backfield because there will be no blocking or defense.

I get the feeling he cares more about the money than winning. We will have to wait and see.

[GBMelBlount]

If we are having a serious discussion on this I am not sure we even need to spend more than a few million a year on a running back.

DeAngelo Williams average more yards per carry (4.5) last year than Juice has averaged in his career when he was actually able to play (4.3)

I do think Bell is special but when you factor in his injuries with his ypc being about the nfl average it is hard to justify a large contract imo.

[fansince'76]

Looking forward to TC in a couple of weeks along with all of the real football news it will bring...

[teegre]

I once heard Eminem rap about transporting his ex-wife in the trunk of his car, and dumping her body into the ocean.

Aaaaand... she's still alive.


In other words, rap is rife with hyperbole.

[dislocatedday]

I don't think LeVeon haphazardly came up with these lyrics. I believe he did this to get the Steelers attention. I do think he is going to want to break the bank and be the highest paid RB in the league assuming he stays healthy all year and has a monster season, but no way should the Steelers commit $15M/year to him.

AB will be the player to get $15M year, and I don't think the Steelers can pay out such a huge amount of their cap to the offensive stars in Ben, AB, and Bell...........unless they want to suffer in so many other areas. They could backload deals for AB and Bell when Ben theoretically likely is not here any longer, but that is not likely I think.

The franchise tag for one year makes a lot of sense for the Steelers if Bell demands nothing less than an average of $15M a year.

[tube517]

I remember a team in 1994-95 making a "rap" video about winning a Super Bowl.......


:yawn:

[teegre]

On the topic of rap lyrics, specifically Eminem...

One of my all-time favorite lyrics came right after Deborah Mathers sued her son for $10 million dollars, only to get a measly $1600 from him. Eminem responsed in a song ("Without Me"):

"I just settled all my lawsuits... Fuck you, Debbie!!!"

[86WARD]

Meh...

[Steel Peon]

I love Le'Veon, but he's not quite Bo Jackson from Tecmo Bowl, who no one ever has been, or ever will be.

[lotas]

I once heard Eminem rap about transporting his ex-wife in the trunk of his car, and dumping her body into the ocean.

Aaaaand... she's still alive.


In other words, rap is rife with hyperbole.
Thank you, Tiger. Much ado about nothing. The season cannot come soon enough!

[silver & black]

For a RB? Good luck to ya!

[pczach]

Let's see what he does when it's contract time. Until we see what he does, and what he asks for and eventually settles for....I'm not going to let a rap song determine how I feel about Le'Veon Bell.

End of line........

[Psycho Ward 86]

i do think 15 a year is ridiculous considering Bell has had 2 significant knee injuries, a lisfranc injury, and a weed suspension. but i would consider going that high if the money is backloaded pretty hard. i wouldnt be surprised if Ben cant finish his contract and im willing to throw money around to keep him armed to the teeth for the duration of his contract. once he's gone, were toast

[GBMelBlount]

i do think 15 a year is ridiculous considering Bell has had 2 significant knee injuries, a lisfranc injury, and a weed suspension. but i would consider going that high if the money is backloaded pretty hard.

i wouldnt be surprised if Ben cant finish his contract and im willing to throw money around to keep him armed to the teeth for the duration of his contract. once he's gone, were toast

I am 100% in agreement with arming Ben to the teeth while we have our best window for winning Super Bowls.