LeVeon Bell considering retiring

[hockeyBjj]

This is just a cheap and easy card to play for literally any player, even if they're not that old, wanting a better contract

Not worried. Worst case he sits out camp and pre-season again and has a year in 2018 like he did 2017. Perhaps Steelers transition tag him and trade him

[eNdblu]

If I'm the Steelers, I tag Bell for '18 and let things play out.
If I'm Bell and I've been franchise tagged, I sit out half the season like Vincent Jackson did way back in the day, accrue the min amount of games required to help avoid injury/wear and become a UFA in '19

Would suck for fantasy if that happened, but Bell's gotta try and make sure he gets the best possible contract he can. Steelers have been running him to the ground this year. If he goes on the franchise tag again next season and he plays all season, PIT would probably do the same and use him up as much as possible and let him walk knowing they've likely added ~1000+ touches on his body in two seasons

[Phaded]

Bell loves money too much to do this.

As others have said, as obvious a bluff as I have seen.

[Cameron Giles]

Bell loves money too much to do this.

As others have said, as obvious a bluff as I have seen.

Plus, RB's are on borrowed time. If he sits out an entire year, that's money and years off his prime he'll lose. It's pretty much a no-win scenario.

What Bell is trying to do is admirable though. He's trying to set the market for all the headliner RB's (Johnson, Zeke, Gurley). Freeman gave Bell a good foundation to start with.

[dm1129]

I have to think the Steelers will tag Bell again. In today's NFL, it really does not make sense to commit too much money to the RB position long term. Additionally, there is a real chance the Steelers' window at a super bowl is small because of Big Ben and his possible retirement, so tagging Bell for another year makes even more sense. Lastly, Bell was very quietly not his typical elite self this past season, he barely managed 4 ypc in a high powered offense with one of the top passing games. He simply does not have the leverage he believes he has.

[dynastyninja]

In most cases, if I'm an NFL player I'd love to be franchise tagged. I get a fat paycheck and then can do whatever I want the next year. I understand you're taking on more long-term risk that way, but the salaries that come with that tag are awesome. Kirk Cousins getting the tag multiple times was the best thing that could've happened to him financially. It's like a small signing bonus, and then when you finally hit free agency you get a big signing bonus.

[Shoreline Steamers]

why is football only 17 weeks plus playoffs... if it were a much longer season we would all be happier and able to avoid BS "news" like this

If it was any longer, every player would be on IR by now.

Exactly what I was thinking. And our starting fantasy rosters would be composed almost exclusively of backups.

Edit: And as everyone notes, we've been down this road before with many other players. It's a ploy for leverage. He'll be back in 2018.

[ArrylT]

http://www.espn.com/blog/pittsburgh-ste ... and-in-way

How things change so quickly. ESPN article in which Bell states he wants to stay in Pittsburgh.

[Heartwork]

http://www.espn.com/blog/pittsburgh-ste ... and-in-way

How things change so quickly. ESPN article in which Bell states he wants to stay in Pittsburgh.

I think you for got the most important part of the headline. "but 'circumstances' might stand in way"

[Jfever]

I bet this is much to do about nothing.

[joeday]

http://www.espn.com/blog/pittsburgh-ste ... and-in-way

How things change so quickly. ESPN article in which Bell states he wants to stay in Pittsburgh.

I think you for got the most important part of the headline. "but 'circumstances' might stand in way"

Smells of a negotiation ploy from a mile away.

[Valhalla]

If Ben retires...do they let Bell walk? You don't entirely reset with Brown on the roster...but you're going to need to spend money on some other areas.
I suppose the $ they would save from not paying Ben could be rolled into being an unexpected player in getting someone like Cousins...if Ben retires in time.

[Phaded]

Didnt Ben already say he would return?

[nathanq42]

Ben said 3 more years ideally

[Jfever]

Didnt Ben already say he would return?

Yes. The 3 more year thing - no one including Ben can bet on. For next year though - Yes, Ben said he would return. I'd bet my frickin house and my kids college funds that L.Bell is full of crap and this news isn't really news at all. This is how off season goes. Discussions on forums that go on about things like this. Barf in my mouth....