Report: Le’Veon Bell won’t show up for Steelers’ OTAs

[hawaiiansteeler]

and yes, water is wet...

Report: Le’Veon Bell won’t show up for Steelers’ OTAs

Posted by Charean Williams on May 21, 2018

It would have created a bigger headline had Le'Veon Bell decided to show up for the Steelers’ organized team activities, but as expected, the Steelers running back won’t attend, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.

Bell remains unsigned after the team placed the franchise tag on him for a second consecutive year. Tom Brady, Julio Jones, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Donald are other big names around the league who are absent for voluntary offseason work.

to read rest of article:

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/05/21/report-leveon-bell-wont-show-up-for-steelers-otas/

[BlackAndGold]

See you Week One Bell.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

He hasn't signed the tender, so technically isn't able to attend anyways. Non story.

[st33lersguy]

Yep because letting everyone know how pissed he is to be offered $14 mil a year is his highest priority right now

[Fire Goodell]

Wow what a surprise! :jawdrop2::smoker:

[Mojouw]

Considering they have 6 RBs to sort through, I don't think it'll matter much.

AB, Bell, and Ben are likely gonna get the shrink wrap treatment anyways.

Might be beneficial if he played a bit in training camp - might not.

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2018/05/long-road-to-rb2-begins-now-for-6-rbs-behind-bell/

[steelreserve]

He hasn't signed the tender, so technically isn't able to attend anyways. Non story.

I mean, he could always sign it and THEN work on a long-term deal, like a normal person. Bitching about it and doing things to spite the team doesn't make you any less franchise tagged or anyone willing to pay you any more money.

Honestly I'm so sick of the whole thing I just hope he gets caught with weed again and spares us the drama.

[Mojouw]

I mean, he could always sign it and THEN work on a long-term deal, like a normal person. Bitching about it and doing things to spite the team doesn't make you any less franchise tagged or anyone willing to pay you any more money.

Honestly I'm so sick of the whole thing I just hope he gets caught with weed again and spares us the drama.

Very few players sign their tenders and report until they have to. Whether it is effective or not, it is the only card they and their agent have to play to bring the team to the negotiating table.

While we as fans may hate it and grow weary of the noise, this is essentially the exact same dance that every franchise player and team have gone through in the past few decades.

I mean Drew Brees heldout -- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/drew-brees-wins-franchise-tag-grievance/

[86WARD]

I mean, he could always sign it and THEN work on a long-term deal, like a normal person. Bitching about it and doing things to spite the team doesn't make you any less franchise tagged or anyone willing to pay you any more money.

Honestly I'm so sick of the whole thing I just hope he gets caught with weed again and spares us the drama.

Most players don’t do that unless they know something...aka Jarvis Landry.

[steelreserve]

Very few players sign their tenders and report until they have to. Whether it is effective or not, it is the only card they and their agent have to play to bring the team to the negotiating table.

While we as fans may hate it and grow weary of the noise, this is essentially the exact same dance that every franchise player and team have gone through in the past few decades.

I mean Drew Brees heldout -- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/drew-brees-wins-franchise-tag-grievance/


The card they have to bring the team to the negotiating table is keeping the player beyond the current season. If that's what the team wants, they have a huge incentive to work on a deal before July or whatever the deadline is. It doesn't matter whether the player throws a fit or not.

What does the player gain from not signing the deal? Being unprepared? Not having any guaranteed money at all in the meantime? Hey, great job.

While I don't think OTAs are the hugest deal in the world, I'm pretty sure most players on the franchise tag actually sign it in time for training camp because they're smart enough to know that it's in their own best interest to be ready for the season. Not to mention, there's a rule in place that specifically makes it so that the player gains nothing by holding out from training camp. It takes a special kind of stupid to do that, and says a lot about your attitude.

[Shoes]

How to get your money and stay a Steeler by AB

How to shit in your hat and then put it on your head by Bell

[Mojouw]

The card they have to bring the team to the negotiating table is keeping the player beyond the current season. If that's what the team wants, they have a huge incentive to work on a deal before July or whatever the deadline is. It doesn't matter whether the player throws a fit or not.

What does the player gain from not signing the deal? Being unprepared? Not having any guaranteed money at all in the meantime? Hey, great job.

While I don't think OTAs are the hugest deal in the world, I'm pretty sure most players on the franchise tag actually sign it in time for training camp because they're smart enough to know that it's in their own best interest to be ready for the season. Not to mention, there's a rule in place that specifically makes it so that the player gains nothing by holding out from training camp. It takes a special kind of stupid to do that, and says a lot about your attitude.

I really don't know how to put this other than the facts say otherwise. Not every one of these is on a franchise tag, but almost all of them shared the same variable as Bell - they had no real leverage left except to not report. This list is after only a quick look.

Brees heldout when tagged
Bowe held out
Bosa held out and he was negotiating his rookie deal!
Duane Brown held out
So did Aaron Donald - I believe he missed regular season games!
Von Miller threatened to holdout and skipped some portion of the off-season program.

From one point of view, Bell is like a veteran sitting on the free agent market. There are some guys every year that everyone knows are going to get signed but have no interest in doing it for OTAs and camp. Then they show up a few weeks before the season and play their way into shape.

Maybe Bell shows up for a few preseason games. Maybe he doesn't. Maybe he never gets what he and his agent think he is worth. Maybe he does.

Bottom line, I suspect Bell and his agent are way off base with all this, but they are doing exactly what every other dissatisfied NFL player has done.

[DesertSteel]

See you Week One Bell.
And see you play well for the first time in week 4...

[steelreserve]

I really don't know how to put this other than the facts say otherwise. Not every one of these is on a franchise tag, but almost all of them shared the same variable as Bell - they had no real leverage left except to not report. This list is after only a quick look.

Brees heldout when tagged
Bowe held out
Bosa held out and he was negotiating his rookie deal!
Duane Brown held out
So did Aaron Donald - I believe he missed regular season games!
Von Miller threatened to holdout and skipped some portion of the off-season program.

From one point of view, Bell is like a veteran sitting on the free agent market. There are some guys every year that everyone knows are going to get signed but have no interest in doing it for OTAs and camp. Then they show up a few weeks before the season and play their way into shape.

Maybe Bell shows up for a few preseason games. Maybe he doesn't. Maybe he never gets what he and his agent think he is worth. Maybe he does.

Bottom line, I suspect Bell and his agent are way off base with all this, but they are doing exactly what every other dissatisfied NFL player has done.

I thught Brees threatened to hold out, but got signed before the tag deadline, thereby avoiding it. And if you're not on the franchise tag, it's an apples-and-oranges situation because you are allowed to keep negotiating - there's a chance you might actually get paid more! So in that case it's actually understandable why someone might do it. With the franchise tag, you literally gain nothing, you are prohibited from negotiating after a certain date which is well before training camp. There is a world of difference in the reasoning, or lack thereof, between a regular holdout and a franchise tag holdout.

Yes, a lot of players will bitch about the franchise tag, threaten to hold out, etc., but I'd wager at least 95% of them still sign it and show up to training camp because they can see that even if they threatened to hold out, there is zero benefit to actually following through with it. As far as I know, Bell is the only one who did it this way. I know you tend to have the view that the players need to do whatever it takes to keep from being screwed over by the owners on money and job security, but this is not even a case where that applies. It's just a guy making a scene.

The real ass-kicker of it is that the team DOES want to sign him to a long-term deal and he doesn't even need to use anything else as leverage. And that he'd almost certainly have an easier time getting what he wanted (whether from us or another team) if he handled it logically instead of in a way that gives him the malcontent label.

[Mojouw]

I thught Brees threatened to hold out, but got signed before the tag deadline, thereby avoiding it. And if you're not on the franchise tag, it's an apples-and-oranges situation because you are allowed to keep negotiating - there's a chance you might actually get paid more! So in that case it's actually understandable why someone might do it. With the franchise tag, you literally gain nothing, you are prohibited from negotiating after a certain date which is well before training camp. There is a world of difference in the reasoning, or lack thereof, between a regular holdout and a franchise tag holdout.

Yes, a lot of players will bitch about the franchise tag, threaten to hold out, etc., but I'd wager at least 95% of them still sign it and show up to training camp because they can see that even if they threatened to hold out, there is zero benefit to actually following through with it. As far as I know, Bell is the only one who did it this way. I know you tend to have the view that the players need to do whatever it takes to keep from being screwed over by the owners on money and job security, but this is not even a case where that applies. It's just a guy making a scene.

The real ass-kicker of it is that the team DOES want to sign him to a long-term deal and he doesn't even need to use anything else as leverage. And that he'd almost certainly have an easier time getting what he wanted (whether from us or another team) if he handled it logically instead of in a way that gives him the malcontent label.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1176104-latest-updates-on-franchise-tag-holdouts

Not the most recent of lists, but 30 seconds on the Google machines and there is a list of other prominent players that did the exact same thing that Bell is doing.

It isn't even a case of not getting screwed over. Bell has nothing to gain by coming in. He gets paid the same. Staying out allows him to not get injured (the absolute worst case scenario for him) and let's the team see if the rest of the RBs on the roster are enough of a downgrade from Bell to get another contract offer (total roll of the dice on Bell's part - what if someone is better?).

The team has every incentive to get him into camp. Continuity, learn the offense, etc. They know what they need to do to make that happen. If they don't feel it makes sense (and honestly with Bell's demands at this point, why would they?) then there will be no movement on the issue aside from some sniping in the media for 3 months or whatever it is until Week 1.

Interesting thought is that a quick tour through the interwebs only has Steeler focused sights that encourage Bell to come in. Most of the non-team focused sites simply state that why would Bell come in until the team changes its offer?

[steelreserve]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1176104-latest-updates-on-franchise-tag-holdouts

Not the most recent of lists, but 30 seconds on the Google machines and there is a list of other prominent players that did the exact same thing that Bell is doing.

It isn't even a case of not getting screwed over. Bell has nothing to gain by coming in. He gets paid the same. Staying out allows him to not get injured (the absolute worst case scenario for him) and let's the team see if the rest of the RBs on the roster are enough of a downgrade from Bell to get another contract offer (total roll of the dice on Bell's part - what if someone is better?).

The team has every incentive to get him into camp. Continuity, learn the offense, etc. They know what they need to do to make that happen. If they don't feel it makes sense (and honestly with Bell's demands at this point, why would they?) then there will be no movement on the issue aside from some sniping in the media for 3 months or whatever it is until Week 1.

Interesting thought is that a quick tour through the interwebs only has Steeler focused sights that encourage Bell to come in. Most of the non-team focused sites simply state that why would Bell come in until the team changes its offer?

That list is from well before the July deadline for negotiating. As I said, I don't think it's that outlandish for someone to skip the very early meet-and-greet, fuck-around workouts and stuff at this point in the year. I do think it's very uncommon for anyone to do what Bell did last year, and will probably do again this year, which is skip the real practices and the real preseason where teams are doing their real preparations. Nobody does that on the franchise tag because there's no benefit to it for a tagged player. Find some examples of that specifically; I bet there are almost none.

No, players don't want to work extra for nothing, but anyone except an idiot understands that YOU, the player - not just the team and the owners and the fans - are significantly better off if you have your shit together at the start of the season. You'll have a better season and probably put yourself in a position for a better contract. What does Bell-Einstein not get about that? It was proven pretty succinctly last year.

I wonder what the non-Steeler sites will say when there is no chance that the Steelers change their offer, because they can't by league rule. Will it still be in his best interest not to come in then?

[IowaSteeler927]

Wow I'm so surprised! :jerkit:

Let him sit out OTA's and camp, don't really care at this point.

[pczach]

Wow I'm so surprised! :jerkit:

Let him sit out OTA's and camp, don't really care at this point.



My hope is that during preseason and once they're limiting his carries and trying to work him in when the season starts, one of the young guys tears it up whenever they get the chance. At that point, it would make perfect sense to get that player on the field more and play Bell a little less. It would give the team another threat at RB and a possible replacement. It would also keep Bell motivated and much fresher for the entire season.

I wonder what he would say on twitter if that happens....

[EzraTank]

Come on guys, Bell has weed to smoke until camp.

[Fire Goodell]

https://media1.tenor.com/images/2abbffbbc9049b3315a53c634cd18191/tenor.gif?itemid=6118618

[Mojouw]

ERic Berry did the Leveon -- https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/the-chiefs-franchise-player-finally-expected-to-report-to-kansas-city/

Walter Jones didn't go to camp for a few seasons in a row -- https://web.kitsapsun.com/archive/2005/02-17/32639_tag__jones_no_longerit__the_fran.html

Brees was going to miss camp until the Saints caved in 2012.

Norman threatened to holdout so much, they yanked the tag.

Whether it is a good idea or not is totally a separate conversation. Bell going this route is not a new trail that he is blazing into an uncharted realm of stupid. It is a standard path of player and agent versus team nonsense.

Remember, lots of guys get tagged. Most get signed in July at some point and don't end up playing on the tag. Those that do play on the tag typically miss massive chunks of the off-season program.

[steel striker]

Wake me up when the season starts.

[DesertSteel]

ERic Berry did the Leveon -- https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/the-chiefs-franchise-player-finally-expected-to-report-to-kansas-city/

Walter Jones didn't go to camp for a few seasons in a row -- https://web.kitsapsun.com/archive/2005/02-17/32639_tag__jones_no_longerit__the_fran.html

Brees was going to miss camp until the Saints caved in 2012.

Norman threatened to holdout so much, they yanked the tag.

Whether it is a good idea or not is totally a separate conversation. Bell going this route is not a new trail that he is blazing into an uncharted realm of stupid. It is a standard path of player and agent versus team nonsense.

Remember, lots of guys get tagged. Most get signed in July at some point and don't end up playing on the tag. Those that do play on the tag typically miss massive chunks of the off-season program.
You're on quite a roll!

I think I'm going to skip camp this year... add me to that list!

[Mojouw]

You're on quite a roll!

I think I'm going to skip camp this year... add me to that list!

https://memegenerator.net/img/instances/48909378/good-morning-campers-today-is-evaluation-day-the-key-word-here-is-value-do-you-have-any-not-yet.jpg

[Hawkman]

Wake me up when the season starts.

You must have been awake enough to post this!:smoker:

[BlackAndGold]

And see you play well for the first time in week 4...

Same probably goes for Ben also.

[DesertSteel]

Same probably goes for Ben also.
Yeah what exactly was Ben's problem last year those first few games???

[steelreserve]

ERic Berry did the Leveon -- https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/the-chiefs-franchise-player-finally-expected-to-report-to-kansas-city/

Walter Jones didn't go to camp for a few seasons in a row -- https://web.kitsapsun.com/archive/2005/02-17/32639_tag__jones_no_longerit__the_fran.html

Brees was going to miss camp until the Saints caved in 2012.

Norman threatened to holdout so much, they yanked the tag.

Whether it is a good idea or not is totally a separate conversation. Bell going this route is not a new trail that he is blazing into an uncharted realm of stupid. It is a standard path of player and agent versus team nonsense.

Remember, lots of guys get tagged. Most get signed in July at some point and don't end up playing on the tag. Those that do play on the tag typically miss massive chunks of the off-season program.


I don't know, man. You're certainly right about the first part in bold; I wouldn't be sure about the last bit.

Yes, there are a few examples of guys doing what Bell does and skipping the entire training camp, but I would guess it's far from "standard." Most players might skip out on a lot of the optional running around early in the preseason, but at the end of the day, they know their own livelihood depends on playing well, so they'll show up for the important stuff.

It might not be a completely uncharted realm of stupid - I mean, he charted it himself last year and proved that it was stupid. It is, however, still extremely stupid and does nothing to help him earn another dime.

[BlackAndGold]

Yeah what exactly was Ben's problem last year those first few games???

I believe the lack of pre season playing time, Bryant returning/struggling, JuJu being a rookie had something to do with it.

I'm just glad he got out of the funk, thought it was Ben coming to a serious decline.

[teegre]

re: Bell’s slow start last season

I still say that his recovery from groin surgery had a bigger effect on those first three games than his hold out did.


Without needing to recover, I see Bell being up to mid-season form by the second game of the season. Thankfully, the Browns give us a nice “warm up”.

[Born2Steel]

re: Bell’s slow start last season

I still say that his recovery from groin surgery had a bigger effect on those first three games than his hold out did.


Without needing to recover, I see Bell being up to mid-season form by the second game of the season. Thankfully, the Browns give us a nice “warm up”.

Not worth the effort to explain. There was a quote from Colbert last preseason where he says Bell will not take any snaps during TC anyway for rehab purposes so it doesn't matter if he's there or not. BUT since I cannot locate that exact quote it must have never happened. (But it did)

[Mojouw]

Not worth the effort to explain. There was a quote from Colbert last preseason where he says Bell will not take any snaps during TC anyway for rehab purposes so it doesn't matter if he's there or not. BUT since I cannot locate that exact quote it must have never happened. (But it did)

FWIW, I remember that too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Lady Steel]

Bell better get his ass movin'. He has a new offensive coordinator now.

[Neversatisfied]

And see you play well for the first time in week 4...

If the Steelers are lucky week 4, this whole game is intolerable

[IowaSteeler927]

Bell obviously doesn't have a grasp of how the Steelers do business in regards to contract negotiations with players. From my experience they seem to reward the guys that show up to everything and play well and don't cause too many issues. Bell has been nothing but a pain in the butt. The marijuana issues, the suspension, injuries, and now sitting out training camp and writing rap songs about how much he should be getting paid. Seems to me that Bell still has a lot to learn about maturity at this point in his life. If he expects the Steelers to just up and cave in to his demands he is very wrong.

[pczach]

Bell obviously doesn't have a grasp of how the Steelers do business in regards to contract negotiations with players. From my experience they seem to reward the guys that show up to everything and play well and don't cause too many issues. Bell has been nothing but a pain in the butt. The marijuana issues, the suspension, injuries, and now sitting out training camp and writing rap songs about how much he should be getting paid. Seems to me that Bell still has a lot to learn about maturity at this point in his life. If he expects the Steelers to just up and cave in to his demands he is very wrong.


On the football field, he is a savant. On dealing with contract matters.....not so good.

[GBMelBlount]

On the football field, he is a savant. On dealing with contract matters.....not so good.

Nice contrast of how LB & AV spent their Memorial Day weekends.

https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2018/5/29/17403532/steelers-alejandro-villanueva-leveon-bell-show-different-priorities-memorial-day-opinion-commentary

[steelreserve]

Nice contrast of how LB & AV spent their Memorial Day weekends.

https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2018/5/29/17403532/steelers-alejandro-villanueva-leveon-bell-show-different-priorities-memorial-day-opinion-commentary


"Table for Le'Veon? Party of three - me, me, me?"

[pczach]

Nice contrast of how LB & AV spent their Memorial Day weekends.

https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2018/5/29/17403532/steelers-alejandro-villanueva-leveon-bell-show-different-priorities-memorial-day-opinion-commentary



Talk about night and day....

[hawaiiansteeler]

it will be very interesting to see what David Johnson's new contract #s are going to be:

Is David Johnson due for an extension with Cardinals?

By Herbie Teope
Around The NFL Writer
June 8, 2018

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000936506/article/is-david-johnson-due-for-an-extension-with-cardinalsPublished:

[DesertSteel]

it will be very interesting to see what David Johnson's new contract #s are going to be:

Is David Johnson due for an extension with Cardinals?

By Herbie Teope
Around The NFL Writer
June 8, 2018

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000936506/article/is-david-johnson-due-for-an-extension-with-cardinalsPublished:
One thing that works against DJ is that he was already 24 when he came into the league. He's had one great year - 2016.

[hawaiiansteeler]

The Steelers won't give him his money
Management just isn't a believa
So Le'Veon is left with no other choice
But to rap with Wiz Khalifa.

https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2018/06/10/pittsburgh-steelers-running-back-leveon-bell-has-been-spending-time-in-the-studio-with-wiz-khalifa/

[Mojouw]

The obsession of Steelers related media with what Bell does or does not say away from football is hilarious.

They are like a teenager wondering why their crush doesn't like them back.

[Lady Steel]

The Steelers won't give him his money
Management just isn't a believa
So Le'Veon is left with no other choice
But to rap with Wiz Khalifa.


:sofunny:

[st33lersguy]

Is that's why he wants to stay in Pittsburgh for life? So he can create shitty rap albums with Wiz Khalifa? He shouldn't worry I'm sure there's shitty untalented "musicians" who rap in Washington or Tampa that he can start recording with next March

[hawaiiansteeler]

Why Le'Veon Bell is unlikely to get the contract the RB market deserves, and more notes

If Jarvis Landry is worth $16M a year, when will the tide turn for players who can both run and catch?

by Jason La Canfora

I do not expect Le'Veon Bell to come away with a market-setting, record contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and I don't know too many people in the NFL who believe he will. But to say that he has a strong cheering section behind him would be an understatement.

to read rest of article:

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/why-leveon-bell-is-unlikely-to-get-the-contract-the-rb-market-deserves-and-more-notes/

[86WARD]

Based on his on-field talents and the other contracts in the league, he’s worth $17M easily. He’s better than a lot of players that get paid the same or more. However, paying him as a RB that much money just isn’t practical, considering they need to pay Ben, Brown, etc.

He’s definitely worth the money as a player.

[Mojouw]

Based on his on-field talents and the other contracts in the league, he’s worth $17M easily. He’s better than a lot of players that get paid the same or more. However, paying him as a RB that much money just isn’t practical, considering they need to pay Ben, Brown, etc.

He’s definitely worth the money as a player.

That's the thing. There are several different aspects to this and they are all kinda seperate.

1. Is a healthy Leveon Bell productive enough to justify 15-17 million annually? Yes. Multiple contracts around the league to lesser players support such a valuation.

2. Is a healthy and productive Leveon Bell worth $15-17 million annually to the Pittsburgh Steelers? Ummmm. Maybe? It isn't clear what the offense would look like without him. DWill likley gives some baseline that it wouldn't fall below. But it just isn't possible to know until you know what a non Leveon Bell focused offense looks like. What production can Conners and Samuel provide at the NFL level? No one really knows. So for a "SB or Bust" team, the Steelers have actually determined that Bell is worth that kinda salary in 2017 and 2018. 2019-2022? That seems to be the sticking point.

3. The more I think about it, the more I think that the real problem from the Steelers perspective is that paying Bell what he wants (while possible from a math POV) throws their whole salary structure off. From a 53 man roster perspective, not sure they can fit Bell's contract in and not give 4-6 other guys raises as well.

4. Bell is a numbnuts. If his attitude was different he might actually have a deal. But he won't be the first or last jack-ass to get paid by someone.

[steelreserve]

While I've never quite understood why running backs get paid about half what receivers make for the same amount of yardage and TDs, the fact is that right now, you can replace 90% of what Bell does for much less than $17 million a year. (I also think you can replace 90% of what a $12 million offensive lineman does for about $5-6 million, but that's a different argument for a different reason.)

The other factor is that for the Steelers right now in 2018, cap space is tight, so $17 million for us is probably about twice as important as $17 million for the Dolphins or the Browns or some other team that's $60 million under the limit, which there are always a few of.

So while it's highly likely someone will pay him close to that based on his production and their temporarily having a few extra wheelbarrows full of money to spend, there's no way it's going to be us, too much is stacked against it.

As for all the other players rooting for him to break the bank ... well, running backs I can understand. Agents have little incentive to be for or against it; the salary cap is the salary cap and they are going to get a certain percentage of the total regardless of how it's distributed across positions. And players at other positions ought to be rooting against him. If 20 of the top running backs are getting paid double and breaking well into the double-digit millions per season, and that adjustment happens all at once over a couple years - suddenly there's not so much money left to be handing out $15M receiver contracts and $12M lineman contracts. So I'm sure that while the "rah-rah, pay him, grrr players sticking it to the greedy owners" sentiment may be strong at first, it'll be tempered when they realize that money is coming out of their own paychecks.

[Craic]

Based on his on-field talents and the other contracts in the league, he’s worth $17M easily. He’s better than a lot of players that get paid the same or more. However, paying him as a RB that much money just isn’t practical, considering they need to pay Ben, Brown, etc.

He’s definitely worth the money as a player.

Absolutely not, IMO. Devonta Freeman, in his 2017 contract, is set to make 8.25 million a year average. Lesean McCoy is set to make 8 million a year average. Jerick McKinnon, who signed this year, is set to make 7.5 million a year, average. Fournette, is set to make 6.7 million on average per year.

There is absolutely no way ANY running back—I don't care if it is Franco Harris, Walter Payton, or Jim Brown reincarnated—no running back is worth 17 million per year in this market. Moreover, all that "paid for two positions" is crap. Until he finds a way to line up at two positions at the same time, he should get paid only as a RB. Period. If he doesn't like that and wants to move to WR, great. Do it, put up the numbers, and then get paid WR dollars. But both? Maybe he hasn't kicked his pot habit after all.

For what he's done for this team, I'd offer him an average of 13 million for four years and guarantee the first two years. That's 26 million guaranteed in two years. I'd also be willing to give a signing bonus that spread out some money over the last two years so that guaranteed number hit 30 million over the life of the contract. That is more guaranteed money than anyone else by almost 3 million, and a better average salary per year than anyone else by almost 5 million.

[Mojouw]

Jarvis Landry and Sammy Watkins - Bell has better receiving stats and he makes half the money they do.
McKinnon and Freeman - play half the snaps that Bell does. So should Bell make twice the money?

I am not advocating that the Steelers or anyone else needs to meet Bell and his agent's demands, but to deny there is a market rate based on measurable metrics that can support a 12-17 million annual valuation is kinda one-sided.

Look at what teams are getting for $9-17 million per year outta some offensive guys. There are some awful contracts out there. And I think that is the problem. It isn't any one team's problem that another team signs crappy over-rated WRs and RBs to ridiculous contracts, but that then raises the bar for non crappy skill guys.

Flacco broke the curve for QBs. Landry and Watkins and a few of the other dumb contracts this off-season are going to break the curve for WRs. A few years back the curve broke for guards. It is just a matter of time before it breaks for RBs. It gets pretty easy for an agent to say "If that dirtball can get X, surely my super-talented and productive client is worth 2X."

Bell wants 15-17. 10-12 would be closer to reality. In an ideal world they would settle at about 14 ish. But that isn't going to happen, so none of this really matters anyway.

[DesertSteel]

The average RB salary in the NFL is dead last out of all 22 at under $2M a year. Only K, P, and LS are lower. Bell needs to wake up and smell the coffee.

[Butch]

You can't pay everyone what they want and at some point you have to make some tough decisions. I think the Steelers have given Bell a fair shake but he refused to accept it. He had a chance to be the highest paid RB and stay with the team but it was not enough for him...even though his agent told him otherwise. I still believe that blount had a major impact on Bell when he was a rookie and I won't be surprised to see him playing with the cheats before all is said and done. I am ready to move on and spread the money tied up in Bell to other positions of need.

[hawaiiansteeler]

I think the Steelers have given Bell a fair shake but he refused to accept it. He had a chance to be the highest paid RB and stay with the team but it was not enough for him...even though his agent told him otherwise. I still believe that blount had a major impact on Bell when he was a rookie and I won't be surprised to see him playing with the cheats before all is said and done. I am ready to move on and spread the money tied up in Bell to other positions of need.

both his agent and own mother told him to accept the deal, but he decided not to.

and no, Belichick is smarter than paying a RB that kind of money on a long-term contract. Le'Veon only had a 4.0 ypc last season and imo regressed slightly from the season before, no way will he be a better more productive RB a couple of seasons from now with all the touches he has already had in his career.

[DesertSteel]

I predict that 2018 will be the last year that Bell even sniffs 2,000 total yards.

[Six Rings]

and yes, water is wet...

Report: Le’Veon Bell won’t show up for Steelers’ OTAs

Posted by Charean Williams on May 21, 2018

It would have created a bigger headline had Le'Veon Bell decided to show up for the Steelers’ organized team activities, but as expected, the Steelers running back won’t attend, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.

Bell remains unsigned after the team placed the franchise tag on him for a second consecutive year. Tom Brady, Julio Jones, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Donald are other big names around the league who are absent for voluntary offseason work.

to read rest of article:

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/05/21/report-leveon-bell-wont-show-up-for-steelers-otas/

He won't show up for July camp either. We have a new OC. Bell knows what he;s going to make in 2018. He's selfish, and hurting the team if he comes in rusty again.

I wish we figured out a way to sign and trade him prior to the draft. Look what Cleveland paid for a slot WR.

[86WARD]

Absolutely not, IMO. Devonta Freeman, in his 2017 contract, is set to make 8.25 million a year average. Lesean McCoy is set to make 8 million a year average. Jerick McKinnon, who signed this year, is set to make 7.5 million a year, average. Fournette, is set to make 6.7 million on average per year.

There is absolutely no way ANY running back—I don't care if it is Franco Harris, Walter Payton, or Jim Brown reincarnated—no running back is worth 17 million per year in this market. Moreover, all that "paid for two positions" is crap. Until he finds a way to line up at two positions at the same time, he should get paid only as a RB. Period. If he doesn't like that and wants to move to WR, great. Do it, put up the numbers, and then get paid WR dollars. But both? Maybe he hasn't kicked his pot habit after all.

For what he's done for this team, I'd offer him an average of 13 million for four years and guarantee the first two years. That's 26 million guaranteed in two years. I'd also be willing to give a signing bonus that spread out some money over the last two years so that guaranteed number hit 30 million over the life of the contract. That is more guaranteed money than anyone else by almost 3 million, and a better average salary per year than anyone else by almost 5 million.

Based on the league and what other players are making and based on what Bell does onfield, there’s no way you can say he’s not worth $17M. The contracts are already out there. Just off of AB, Landry, Vernon, etc, Bell is worth that money. I’m not talking about comparing money to position to production. Based on all the other outrageous contracts in the league, Bell would be worth that money everything being equal. Gurley, Zeke... those guys are probably worth the $17m as well

[DesertSteel]

Based on the league and what other players are making and based on what Bell does onfield, there’s no way you can say he’s not worth $17M. The contracts are already out there. Just off of AB, Landry, Vernon, etc, Bell is worth that money. I’m not talking about comparing money to position to production. Based on all the other outrageous contracts in the league, Bell would be worth that money everything being equal. Gurley, Zeke... those guys are probably worth the $17m as well
You don't get paid for past production. It's safe to project a decline based on mileage and injury history. In 2016 he was worth $17M; last year, not even close. Future? No way!

[GBMelBlount]

Based on his on-field talents and the other contracts in the league, he’s worth $17M easily. He’s better than a lot of players that get paid the same or more. However, paying him as a RB that much money just isn’t practical, considering they need to pay Ben, Brown, etc.

He’s definitely worth the money as a player.

At 4 ypc?

I think there are too many BETTER running backs and too many workarounds with regard to passing to value him that high.

Personally, I do not believe he is worth 10 mil.

Just my opinion, of course.

[st33lersguy]

Based on his on-field talents and the other contracts in the league, he’s worth $17M easily. He’s better than a lot of players that get paid the same or more. However, paying him as a RB that much money just isn’t practical, considering they need to pay Ben, Brown, etc.

He’s definitely worth the money as a player.

No he's not. First of all he's always starting and/or ending a season either injured, suspended, or at around 50% because too busy bitching about not being offered $17 mil to get himself into football shape. He cares more about rapping, getting paid more than he's worth, and attention than actual football. Then there is the fact of his 4.0 YPC. He was not efficient last year, he got a lot of his yards because he got way above average touches. Lack of efficiency + lack of reliability + T.O level me first attitude/desire for attention = well below $17 mil and certainly not worth being paid more than double the 2nd highest paid in the league

[hawaiiansteeler]

REPORT: ‘NO TALKS’ BETWEEN LE’VEON BELL, STEELERS ON NEW CONTRACT IN TWO MONTHS

https://sportsnaut.com/2018/06/report-no-talks-between-leveon-bell-steelers-on-new-contract-in-two-months/

[stillers4me]

Thread closed. Thread headline reads "Report: Le’Veon Bell won’t show up for Steelers’ OTAs "
]
OTA's over. Minicamp is over. Bell contract updates need new threads to keep the forum current. Thanks.