LeVeon willing to sit out half the season?

[hjernazian]

Just read he is willing to sit out half the season if (I thought he was already) tagged. I honestly don’t blame him at this point as it is pretty insulting... the money is still there, but I think it’s more of a respect thing.

Not to sound like a vulture, but if he sits, is it Conner that’s behind him? The reinjured MCL makes me have no idea of what’s next for the guy, or if he’s still worth a very precious roster spot.

[joeday]

If he sits out half the season and the steelers have an inclination that he will then I think they draft someone in the first few rounds. I love Conner (I am a Pitt Alum) but he alone cannot do what Bell does.

I don't know if you should feel insulted for Bell...the Steelers offered him over $4m more a year than the highest paid RB and something like $40m was upfront. The fact he didn't take that contract (which even his mother said he should have signed) makes me think he is delusional. No team is going to pay an RB $15m a year, no matter how good they are.

[Lotto4Life]

The fact he didn't take that contract (which even his mother said he should have signed) makes me think he is delusional.

He does have a couple of drug offenses with the NFL. Not sure what kind of stuff he's in to, but maybe that's part of it.

[joeday]

The fact he didn't take that contract (which even his mother said he should have signed) makes me think he is delusional.

He does have a couple of drug offenses with the NFL. Not sure what kind of stuff he's in to, but maybe that's part of it.

lol he smokes pot...calm down

[kris_kapsner]

I think Bell is being unrealistic. All positions aren't created equal when it comes to which are valued.

The highest paid RB not named Bell is Freeman who is making $8.25 million.

There are 21 WR's paid more than the highest paid RB. Top Salary = $17 million (happens to be on the same team as Bell!!!)
There are 19 QB's paid more than the highest paid RB. Top Salary = $27.5

Both WR and RB are offensive weapons. Why are RB's paid less? WR's last longer in their careers typically. But that isn't all. They are also much more likely to play every game during a season.

There are 16 left tackles paid more than the highest paid RB....but only 2 RIGHT tackles paid more.

Only 4 Tight Ends are paid more.

ZERO Fullbacks.

Not a single punter or kicker is paid more than the highest paid RB. In fact, if you combine the highest paid punter and kicker together, you don't reach how much the top RB earns.

All positions aren't paid equally and Bell needs to just accept that.

[sammyz]

I think Bells' argument is that he catches so many balls and bring's so much to the receiving game, that he should be valued as a receiver who happens to be able to run the ball, and not vice versa.

[Oddball456]

I think Bell is being unrealistic. All positions aren't created equal when it comes to which are valued.

The highest paid RB not named Bell is Freeman who is making $8.25 million.

There are 21 WR's paid more than the highest paid RB. Top Salary = $17 million (happens to be on the same team as Bell!!!)
There are 19 QB's paid more than the highest paid RB. Top Salary = $27.5

Both WR and RB are offensive weapons. Why are RB's paid less? WR's last longer in their careers typically. But that isn't all. They are also much more likely to play every game during a season.

There are 16 left tackles paid more than the highest paid RB....but only 2 RIGHT tackles paid more.

Only 4 Tight Ends are paid more.

ZERO Fullbacks.

Not a single punter or kicker is paid more than the highest paid RB. In fact, if you combine the highest paid punter and kicker together, you don't reach how much the top RB earns.

All positions aren't paid equally and Bell needs to just accept that.

He should stop playing RB and only line up in the slot. He would get about a 1/4 of the touches he gets now, leading to a longer career and get paid (a lot) more for less work!

[Big Tuna]

Look at what AP made with Vikes, now give him a little bit more. Salary cap goes up every year and it's time these RBs get paid. Compare Bell to the highest paid RB ever not the highest paid right now

[kris_kapsner]

I think Bells' argument is that he catches so many balls and bring's so much to the receiving game, that he should be valued as a receiver who happens to be able to run the ball, and not vice versa.

The team is already paying Brown as the highest paid WR in the league at $17 million. Anyone who thinks a team should spend over $30 million a year on two WR's isn't managing a team's overall cap well.

In my opinion the Steelers should just let Bell walk and draft a RB early in the draft to save themselves what, $13+ million a year against the cap?

[UATahoe]

At this point, i would tend to agree. Seems like Bell is stuck on absolutely breaking the bank for this contract. If i am the Steelers organization, i just wouldnt want to sign up for that. I would find cheaper production and invest that money elsewhere.

[Vcize]

I think Bell is being unrealistic. All positions aren't created equal when it comes to which are valued.

The highest paid RB not named Bell is Freeman who is making $8.25 million.

There are 21 WR's paid more than the highest paid RB. Top Salary = $17 million (happens to be on the same team as Bell!!!)
There are 19 QB's paid more than the highest paid RB. Top Salary = $27.5

Both WR and RB are offensive weapons. Why are RB's paid less? WR's last longer in their careers typically. But that isn't all. They are also much more likely to play every game during a season.

There are 16 left tackles paid more than the highest paid RB....but only 2 RIGHT tackles paid more.

Only 4 Tight Ends are paid more.

ZERO Fullbacks.

Not a single punter or kicker is paid more than the highest paid RB. In fact, if you combine the highest paid punter and kicker together, you don't reach how much the top RB earns.

All positions aren't paid equally and Bell needs to just accept that.

I half agree with you, but on the other hand the positional pay hasn't always been like this and the changes always start somewhere.

It used to be that RBs made a ton of cash. Teams didn't just keep paying them a ton of cash because they'd always been paid a ton of cash, they adjusted and things went from there. Bell is contending that things have adjusted too far and he should be paid relative to his importance to the team, not relative to how he compares to other RBs.

It's up to the team to decide if they can agree with him on how his value to the team equates to dollars.

And while people are quick to dismiss RBs because of teams having success without great ones, it's not like the league's best WRs are running out of fingers for their super bowl rings either.

[Dr. Trades]

Diehard Steelers fan here. I'm tired of his shenanigans. Let him walk, save the money and invest in the defense, and draft Guice or another one of these solid RBs in mid rounds this year who can catch the ball and they'll have a good duo with Conner. Tying too much money in a just a few good players is how you run a team into the ground.

[Johnny Canuck]

He's going to play, it's all just posturing. Would be kinda funny if they signed someone like Hyde then rescinded the tag just because they were sick of his crap.

Amazing player and he has a point about RBs making less than WRs, but that's just the position.

Even if he does sit Conner won't be the guy. The fact that they have no one behind him and Conner is coming off an injury, means that they'll likely invest in a cheap FA or another draft pick.

[Cameron Giles]

I think they end up trading him to a team who will give him the deal he wants.

[cazzie33]

I think they end up trading him to a team who will give him the deal he wants.

I'm sure there are lots if teams that would pay Le'Veon his $$$