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Franchising Bell wise move for both sides

4 min read

With training camp in Latrobe now less than 10 days way, the Pittsburgh Steelers and their fans are gearing up for a season that will likely feature more than the usual amount of expectations. That’s saying something considering few NFL markets have the bar set as high as in Southwestern Pennsylvania, the central hub of Steeler Nation.

Following a season that ended one win short of the franchise’s ninth Super Bowl appearance, the Men of Steel are one of the few teams tagged as capable of usurping New England as champions of the AFC. One of the most crucial cogs in the Pittsburgh machine is running back Le’Veon Bell.

After putting together one of the best all-around seasons for a running back in NFL history (1,268 yards rushing, 75 catches for 616 yards, nine total touchdowns), Bell has become the center of every media outlet in town with his inability or unwillingness to sign a long-term deal with the team that he claims he wants to remain a member.

It was the best thing that could happen to both sides.

For a multi-billion dollar entity like the NFL — which has also proven to be the most detrimental to the long-term health of its athletes — players, especially those in high-impact positions like running back, need to make as much money in as short a period of time as possible.

Bell has already proven himself to be somewhat injury-prone, having already dealt with concussion, knee and, most recently, groin issues. By passing on a multi-year contract and settling on the franchise tag option, arguably the team’s most dangerous offensive weapon will make just over $12 million next year, landing him in the top spot in terms of pay for RBs.

It gets better for Bell.

If the two sides once again fail to put together a multi-year contract before the 2018 season and the Steelers again tag No. 26, his salary will increase to a whopping $14.5 million. That total will keep Bell at the top of the running back hierarchy.

Now for the Steelers…

With the possible exceptions of Ike Taylor or Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh has never shown much of a sentimental side when it comes to keeping fan favorites around past a point where they are no longer effective or cost-friendly. With backs, especially workhorse types like Bell, having primes that may only last five years or so, the Steelers are in the driver’s seat to get those handful of seasons when the 25-year-old is at his best.

Then there’s the presence of James Conner on the roster. Not just a fan favorite, Conner was one of the best running backs in the nation before his cancer diagnosis in late 2015. Though his straight-ahead running style is completely different from Bell’s wait-and-see approach, they are similar in other ways.

Both combine obvious power with surprising speed. They sport almost identical builds with Bell standing 6-1 and weighing 225 and Conner boasting a 6-1, 233-pound frame. Most importantly, the rookie from Pitt seems to be a good fit for the Pittsburgh offense thanks to his ability to catch passes out of the backfield. He pulled in 21 balls for 302 yards and four touchdowns during his final collegiate campaign.

If Conner stays healthy and his cancer remains in remission, Pittsburgh just may have Bell’s replacement primed and ready at a much lower price tag than an individual rapidly approaching his 30th birthday.

Finally, Bell hasn’t exactly been a boy scout during his time in the pros. Along with losing snaps due to injury, a pair of suspensions stemming from marijuana usage has also robbed him of reps. For a franchise that has also had to deal with Martavis Bryant missing an entire year because of his love of pot, one would think that the leash for players getting involved with substances classified as no-no’s by the league has gotten shorter and shorter.

Don’t get me wrong, in a perfect world, Le’Veon spending his entire career in black and gold would be great for everyone involved in the process. But, in the business-first world of pro football, maybe two more years of Bell making eight figures and the Steelers having the services of one of the top-five players in the league will wind up being the best situation for all parties.

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