Another midsummer deadline has come and gone, and Le’Veon Bell did not sign a long-term contract with the Steelers.
For a second consecutive year, the All-Pro running back will play on the franchise tag. The one-year tender is worth $14.5 million.
The Steelers will have one final opportunity to agree with Bell on a long-term deal after the 2018 season ends, but their failure to sign him by the 4 p.m. deadline likely means he’ll be playing his final season with the Steelers. Unless the franchise wants to commit $17.5 million million to Bell on the one-year transition tag tender next year, he can hit free agency in March, when he can sign a big contract with another team that has more salary cap space.