Steelers To Use Franchise Tag On Le’Veon Bell

Le’Veon Bell doesn’t want to leave Pittsburgh, and the Steelers have no plans to let him go.

Steelers To Use Franchise Tag On Le’Veon Bell

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Sunday on NFL GameDay Morning that the team will franchise tag the fourth-year running back.

The tag should be more than $12 million for running backs this season. Franchising Bell– who will be 25 next month, will give both sides an opportunity to settle on a long-term deal.

Several factors could influence such a deal, including off the field concerns (suspensions the past two season) and health (knee injuries in 2014 and 2015).

Rapoport added that as one of the best pass-catching running backs in the NFL, Bell could earn “big-time playmaker money.”

Bell’s statistics are quite impressive. He ranks first in the league in touches per game (28.0) and scrimmage YPG (157.0) and was second in rushing YPG (105.7), despite missing four contests this season (3 to suspension, 1 to rest).

From Weeks 4-16 (when Bell played), he led the NFL in touches (336) and scrimmage yards (1,884) — 28 more touches than David Johnson’s 308 and 189 more scrimmage yards than Ezekiel Elliott’s 1,695 (both 2nd-most in that span).

Rapoport also stated that the Steelers would like to extend Antonio Brown ahead of his final season under contract. Locking down both Bell and Brown in 2017 would help stabilize Pittsburgh’s offensive future as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s tenure with the team nears its end.

Bell rushed for 167 yards in Sunday’s 30-12 victory over the Miami Dolphins, a Steelers postseason record. In his first six games this season, Bell recorded 16.6 carries per game, although that figure improved to an average of 27.1 carries per game in his last seven games.

PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 08: Le’Veon Bell #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Miami Dolphins in the AFC Wild Card game at Heinz Field on January 8, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)