The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to use the franchise tag on running back Le’Veon Bell, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Bell was set to be the top free agent at his position, though there was always talk that the Steelers were confident they could work out a long-term deal.
Instead, they will tag Bell for the second time in as many years. The tag will pay him $14.544 million, or something very close to that, for the 2018 season alone. They are likely to continue discussions on a long-term deal, but Pittsburgh is prepared to use the tag before the Tuesday deadline.