Le’Veon Bell is gambling on himself.
Bell was unable to agree to a new contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers by Monday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline, meaning he’s now set to play under a $12.1 million franchise tag for the 2017 NFL season before hitting free agency next offseason. The running back’s decision apparently wasn’t made without a competitive offer from the Steelers, though.
NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reported Tuesday that Pittsburgh offered Bell a multiyear contract worth more than $12 million annually.
NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport heard the Steelers’ offer was a five-year contract.
Bell arguably is the best running back in football at age 25, meaning the Steelers surely want to keep him around. But the two-time Pro Bowl selection evidently has some high contract demands, leaving his long-term future in Pittsburgh in limbo now that free agency next offseason is a real possibility.
Thumbnail photo via Geoff Burke/USA TODAY Sports Images