Bell's Holdout Reaching Point of Career-Damaging Consequences

[Steelerchad]

The other factor in all of this is that James Conner is having a better start to this season than Bell had last year at 5% of the cost. Why would the Steelers want to pay someone 20 times what Conner makes for the same or even less production. Even if the production is a little better, wouldn't you rather spend that money on defense. This offense is scoring more and gaining more without Bell. If Conner ends up the season anywhere near Leveon's stats last season, you would have believe that it is system, team, line, QB, WR's that make Bell what he is. Why would you pay that much for a guy on the tail end of his career. Every game Conner produces diminishes Bell's chance at the gigantic payday.

[Fire Goodell]

If Bell joins the team on week 10 and spends his time as a back up, and we win the SB, does he still get a ring?

[polamalubeast]

The other factor in all of this is that James Conner is having a better start to this season than Bell had last year at 5% of the cost. Why would the Steelers want to pay someone 20 times what Conner makes for the same or even less production. Even if the production is a little better, wouldn't you rather spend that money on defense. This offense is scoring more and gaining more without Bell. If Conner ends up the season anywhere near Leveon's stats last season, you would have believe that it is system, team, line, QB, WR's that make Bell what he is. Why would you pay that much for a guy on the tail end of his career. Every game Conner produces diminishes Bell's chance at the gigantic payday.

And a 32 years old DeAngelo Williams had success with us in 2015...same for our offense.

[teegre]

If Bell joins the team on week 10 and spends his time as a back up, and we win the SB, does he still get a ring?

Even if he is deactivated, he’d get a ring.

[pczach]

Even if he is deactivated, he’d get a ring.

He could sell it to fund his "Save Le'Veon" foundation.

[86WARD]

The other factor in all of this is that James Conner is having a better start to this season than Bell had last year at 5% of the cost. Why would the Steelers want to pay someone 20 times what Conner makes for the same or even less production. Even if the production is a little better, wouldn't you rather spend that money on defense. This offense is scoring more and gaining more without Bell. If Conner ends up the season anywhere near Leveon's stats last season, you would have believe that it is system, team, line, QB, WR's that make Bell what he is. Why would you pay that much for a guy on the tail end of his career. Every game Conner produces diminishes Bell's chance at the gigantic payday.

Right now there aren’t any defensive players out there to spend that money on so unless you are getting a minimum of a third round pick, it’s foolish to even think of moving him. As far as Conner goes, he’s having a decent year, but comparing stats to Bell, it’s all relative...defenses play each player differently, prepare for the Steelers offense differently. Bell isn’t the best RB out there, but he has the largest skill set of an back and if he really is working out twice a day and staying in shape, he will be beneficial to the Steelers when he shows...if they are in some sort of playoff contention at that time...which is questionable.

[steelreserve]

Right now there aren’t any defensive players out there to spend that money on so unless you are getting a minimum of a third round pick, it’s foolish to even think of moving him. As far as Conner goes, he’s having a decent year, but comparing stats to Bell, it’s all relative...defenses play each player differently, prepare for the Steelers offense differently. Bell isn’t the best RB out there, but he has the largest skill set of an back and if he really is working out twice a day and staying in shape, he will be beneficial to the Steelers when he shows...if they are in some sort of playoff contention at that time...which is questionable.

In this case, you can carry over Bell's cap space to next year, so it does not depend on which defensive players are available "right now." You can use it for anyone available next offseason.

Is $14.5 million in 2019 going to get you a better player, who helps us more with our goal of winning while Ben is still here, than the last pick of the third round in 2020? I would say almost certainly.

As for the "Bell makes defenses scared and they have to change their plan for him" line that we keep hearing ... well, who cares? As long as we're scoring 30 points a game, they can be as un-afraid of our offense and ignore or running game as much as they want. But while the Bell thing drags on, it's apparently become extra-important that we get the most swagger points or whatever.

[teegre]

James Conner currently has the eighth most yards-from-scrimmage in the NFL.

Bell currently has zero yards-from-scrimmage.

[polamalubeast]

In this case, you can carry over Bell's cap space to next year, so it does not depend on which defensive players are available "right now." You can use it for anyone available next offseason.

Is $14.5 million in 2019 going to get you a better player, who helps us more with our goal of winning while Ben is still here, than the last pick of the third round in 2020? I would say almost certainly.

As for the "Bell makes defenses scared and they have to change their plan for him" line that we keep hearing ... well, who cares? As long as we're scoring 30 points a game, they can be as un-afraid of our offense and ignore or running game as much as they want. But while the Bell thing drags on, it's apparently become extra-important that we get the most swagger points or whatever.

This

[86WARD]

In this case, you can carry over Bell's cap space to next year, so it does not depend on which defensive players are available "right now." You can use it for anyone available next offseason.

Is $14.5 million in 2019 going to get you a better player, who helps us more with our goal of winning while Ben is still here, than the last pick of the third round in 2020? I would say almost certainly.

As for the "Bell makes defenses scared and they have to change their plan for him" line that we keep hearing ... well, who cares? As long as we're scoring 30 points a game, they can be as un-afraid of our offense and ignore or running game as much as they want. But while the Bell thing drags on, it's apparently become extra-important that we get the most swagger points or whatever.

So because Bell isn’t here in 2018 and you trade him, you get $14.5M bonus exemption on top of the 14.5M cap you would already have in 2019?

[steelreserve]

So because Bell isn’t here in 2018 and you trade him, you get $14.5M bonus exemption on top of the 14.5M cap you would already have in 2019?

That's right. We'd carry over an extra $14.5 million from this year into next, and have an increased cap in 2019. AND we don't have to pay Bell in 2019, so in a way you can say we "save" that as well and probably end up with $25 million or more to sign players. (Of course, that's not a permanent $25 million and we'd have to figure out how to pay them in the future - but again, not having a huge Bell contract (and eventually no huge QB contract) helps with that.)

It's important to remember that if he doesn't show up until Week 10, we get about $8.7 million of that $14.5 million next year anyway. So maybe we're only "gaining" $6 million in exchange for the third-round draft pick. But maybe not, because who knows when he'll show up. If we somehow trade him immediately after he signs, then we get the full $14.5 million plus keep whatever we get in the trade.

Either way, there are a lot of options of what we could get either by trading him or releasing him outright. The (possible) third-round comp pick in 2020 is kind of meh among those options if you ask me, and maybe not even worth the $6 million. Remember, we may not even get a comp pick at all, if our free-agent signings equal or exceed our free-agent departures. Which is quite possible if we have extra money to spend.

[DesertSteel]

Even if he is deactivated, he’d get a ring.

Is there an actual NFL rule regarding super bowl rings or is it a team courtesy?

[SteelMember]

Is there an actual NFL rule regarding super bowl rings or is it a team courtesy?

I believe they can give them to whomever they want... up to a certain number.

It's not like the rules of game requirements to get your name engraved on the Stanley Cup.

[steelreserve]

I believe they can give them to whomever they want... up to a certain number.

It's not like the rules of game requirements to get your name engraved on the Stanley Cup.

They can give out as many as they want, but the league will only pay for 150 or 200. I think it's 150; that number sticks out in my head for some reason.

If you are on the 53-man roster, I am pretty sure you are a lock to get a ring, but beyond that it's up to the organization. For former players, guys who were on IR the whole year, and such, I'd imagine the players usually vote on it. Would be interesting to see what they decided about Bell.

As of now we don't really have to worry about that, because they have to start doing a ton of shit better if they're going to win the Super Bowl this year.

[DesertSteel]

What I am asking, as it pertains to NFL rules, is it a rule A) that rings have to be given out, and B) that everyone that meets certain criteria must receive a ring? In other words, is it just a tradition like visiting the President or are teams required to grant rings?

[pczach]

That's right. We'd carry over an extra $14.5 million from this year into next, and have an increased cap in 2019. AND we don't have to pay Bell in 2019, so in a way you can say we "save" that as well and probably end up with $25 million or more to sign players. (Of course, that's not a permanent $25 million and we'd have to figure out how to pay them in the future - but again, not having a huge Bell contract (and eventually no huge QB contract) helps with that.)

It's important to remember that if he doesn't show up until Week 10, we get about $8.7 million of that $14.5 million next year anyway. So maybe we're only "gaining" $6 million in exchange for the third-round draft pick. But maybe not, because who knows when he'll show up. If we somehow trade him immediately after he signs, then we get the full $14.5 million plus keep whatever we get in the trade.

Either way, there are a lot of options of what we could get either by trading him or releasing him outright. The (possible) third-round comp pick in 2020 is kind of meh among those options if you ask me, and maybe not even worth the $6 million. Remember, we may not even get a comp pick at all, if our free-agent signings equal or exceed our free-agent departures. Which is quite possible if we have extra money to spend.

I think many don't understand how much money they will have to spend next year if everything plays out as you describe.

That's a ton of cash!

That money can surely help them fill holes in the roster. They don't need to sign a superstar to improve the team. They can sign quality players at positions of need, and re-sign or extend proven home-grown players that want to be here.

It's a win/win situation. The team saves a ton of money for getting rid of a disgruntled player that doesn't want to be there and is a huge distraction to the team, while also freeing up tons of cap space to pay other players and strengthen the roster while eliminating a cancer.

This has a chance to help set this team up for the coming years. Even post-Ben years.

[AtlantaDan]

I think many don't understand how much money they will have to spend next year if everything plays out as you describe.

That's a ton of cash!.

Biggest initial decision is what to do about Ben - 2019 is the last year of his current contract - cap hit for 2019 is $23.2 million ($12 million salary/$11.2 million roster and signing bonus)

Realistically a three year extension makes sense but question will be what the bonus and base salary will be - getting that deal done will then realistically result in how much money is left to sign FAs or current Steelers

[steelreserve]

I think many don't understand how much money they will have to spend next year if everything plays out as you describe.

That's a ton of cash!

That money can surely help them fill holes in the roster. They don't need to sign a superstar to improve the team. They can sign quality players at positions of need, and re-sign or extend proven home-grown players that want to be here.

It's a win/win situation. The team saves a ton of money for getting rid of a disgruntled player that doesn't want to be there and is a huge distraction to the team, while also freeing up tons of cap space to pay other players and strengthen the roster while eliminating a cancer.

This has a chance to help set this team up for the coming years. Even post-Ben years.

One linebacker who can cover, and one decent pass rusher, and suddenly the defense looks a lot better.

Also don't forget - assuming Shazier doesn't ever play again (which seems likely), this was the last year of his contract and we'll have another $9 million to spend replacing that position. So probably like $35 million total, enough for three very good players or star players. Or five average to above-average players to fill gaps.

I think a bigger problem on defense is that we need some better position coaches, at least at LB and DB. The young and talented guys we draft there in rounds 1-2 seem to perpetually play the same as when they were rookies.

One or two you might be able to say is just bad luck; we drafted individual players who were super-talented but too dumb to improve. ALL of them is not bad luck, it's a problem with player development.

[pczach]

Biggest initial decision is what to do about Ben - 2019 is the last year of his current contract - cap hit for 2019 is $23.2 million ($12 million salary/$11.2 million roster and signing bonus)

Realistically a three year extension makes sense but question will be what the bonus and base salary will be - getting that deal done will then realistically result in how much money is left to sign FAs or current Steelers

As steelreserve stated, Shazier will either by healthy enough and willing to play and fill a gaping hole in the roster....or he will not be able to ever play again, and the team will have the additional $9 million cap space they save when he comes off the books.

If the team does manage to trade Bell and get a draft pick or two, they will probably dedicate more resources to the draft and limit the amount of free agent activity for roster building.

Ben's situation will be interesting as he appears to have some football left in him. I agree with you about signing Ben. It's hard to imagine him not being signed to a multi-year extension.

No matter how next year shakes out, they are in far better shape than they have been in recent years.