NFL: Le'Veon Bell continues holdout - will not report in 2018

[Pestilence]

i wish i could be able to turn down 853 thousand dollars

FYP

 

[Voight]

Bell was set to make what like 14M this year on the tag? Normally I am all for the players and what not, but he's being a little selfish. If he wants to be the highest paid player he needs to play every game.

I think he wants security more than anything. He's got 3-4 seasons left of peak play and he wants to secure his financial future -- what if he plays tomorrow and breaks hi leg? He'll lose all kinds of money. RBs are usually done by 30-32, he just wants to get what he earned as this is going to be his only chance at doing so.

 

[mouser]

I think he wants security more than anything. He's got 3-4 seasons left of peak play and he wants to secure his financial future -- what if he plays tomorrow and breaks hi leg? He'll lose all kinds of money. RBs are usually done by 30-32, he just wants to get what he earned as this is going to be his only chance at doing so.

I don't blame him at all. Have to wonder what his objective this season is though since he isn't allowed to play under anything other then the franchise tag amount this season. The July 1st deadline to negotiate a deal has long since passed.

Is he going to wait until week 10 to report? Is he trying to pressure the Steelers to some sort of non-enforceable agreement on an extension or usage time?

 

[StreetHawk]

I don't blame him at all. Have to wonder what his objective this season is though since he isn't allowed to play under anything other then the franchise tag amount this season. The July 1st deadline to negotiate a deal has long since passed.

Is he going to wait until week 10 to report? Is he trying to pressure the Steelers to some sort of non-enforceable agreement on an extension or usage time?

Mainly to conserve his body. Risk $8.5 million if he misses the most he can but still report to earn a year towards free agency, thus playing out year 2 of the tag, so that if the Steelers opt to tag him again next season, it would cost them a super insane amount and thus they won't do it.

The best back that is older than Bell is McCoy, who has played 4 more years. McCoy is at 2,600 touches. Bell is around 1,600 so far. Given what he would normally get, he'd pass McCoy within 3 years. So, you can see he's on pace to take more of a beating than McCoy in 1 less year of action.

It might also get personal to the point that Bell doesn't care if the Steelers win the SB this year. By, not playing the Steelers likely make the playoffs and win their division, but are they good enough to get a bye? Thus in week 2 of the playoffs they have to go on the road.

That's the balance the Steelers organization had to weigh was salary cap implications/risk versus a happy player who is buying into the team. They made their decision and now they have to deal with it. They probably didn't think Bell would miss a cheque. Likely expected him to skip OTAs, camp and pre-season, but be ready for the regular season like last year. Bell, said no, not again, not going to do a 400 plus touch season if you plan on dumping me afterwards.

 

[YEM]

I'm surprised how little money he's actually made in his career thus far [grossed somewhere around 16 million]

 

[StreetHawk]

I'm surprised how little money he's actually made in his career thus far [grossed somewhere around 16 million]

He was a 2nd round pick and they get around $1 million per on their 4 year rookie deal. Then add the $12 million tag last season, so 5 years at $16 million is his number.

Kareem Hunt, Alvin Kamara, Dalvin Cook are going to all get under $5 million for their 4 year rookie deal. That's why the tag hurts the RB position. Life span of a RB is anywhere from 7-9 years. McCoy still going into year 10 as a feature back. That's why RB need to hit free agency and secure a big 2nd contract. Not going to get a 3rd one.

 

[Voight]

He was a 2nd round pick and they get around $1 million per on their 4 year rookie deal. Then add the $12 million tag last season, so 5 years at $16 million is his number.

Kareem Hunt, Alvin Kamara, Dalvin Cook are going to all get under $5 million for their 4 year rookie deal. That's why the tag hurts the RB position. Life span of a RB is anywhere from 7-9 years. McCoy still going into year 10 as a feature back. That's why RB need to hit free agency and secure a big 2nd contract. Not going to get a 3rd one.

Exactly.

MJD, Foster, DeMarco Murray and Jamaal Charles are all guys who were done by 30. Look at Charles specifically, all it took was 1 injury for his career to basically end and at no point did he ever have a long term contract (aside from his rookie deal).

You get the anomalies like Frank Gore who are still workhorses in their mid 30's but its very rare.

 

[Unholy Diver]

Maybe he is waiting til he can pass a pee test, no testing if he is unsigned I believe

 

[Gene Parmesan]

Exactly.

MJD, Foster, DeMarco Murray and Jamaal Charles are all guys who were done by 30. Look at Charles specifically, all it took was 1 injury for his career to basically end and at no point did he ever have a long term contract (aside from his rookie deal).

You get the anomalies like Frank Gore who are still workhorses in their mid 30's but its very rare.

Charles had multiple knee injuries.

 

[InjuredChoker]

Charles had multiple knee injuries.

and he also had long-term deal after his rookie deal.

 

[MMC]

Nice game for James Conner today.

 

[Blitzkrug]

I can respect a guy trying to get his money, especially at a rough position like RB. Bell is starting to look like a huge dick in this situation.

He posted a tweet today (the "lookie here" type emoji thing) after they tied Cleveland. Makes you look really petty when the guy who replaced you went for a buck thirty and a TD. As if it's somehow his fault.

I kinda wanna see the Steelers stick it to him because of his ego. If they can string together a couple good games from Conner it's gonna get real interesting.

 

[StreetHawk]

There’s a point where you need to be mature and just let it be. But that’s how he is.

DJ getting extended likely didn’t make him feel any better.

 

[Dominator13]

Looks like Bell has a wish to end up with the Colts.

He's been liking pics on Instagram, Pat Macafee and Eric Ebron have noticed and trying to convince him.

 

[m9]

Looks like Bell has a wish to end up with the Colts.

He's been liking pics on Instagram, Pat Macafee and Eric Ebron have noticed and trying to convince him.

This has been going on for months.

The fit makes sense though - they have the cap space and a need at RB. Bell is also an amazing pass blocker and would help protect Luck.

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

 

[Blitzkrug]

I'm a bit surprised. I honestly thought what happened with Earl Thomas, Bell was gonna turn around and go "see, that's why!" and just dig his heels in further. Almost seems counterproductive to come back with that in mind.

Good on him though. If you handle it professionally, they might actually give you what you want.

 

[Newsworthy]

If Bell is gonna be upset with anyone it should be with the Players Union who negotiated these franchise tags and non guaranteed contracts.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

I'm a bit surprised. I honestly thought what happened with Earl Thomas, Bell was gonna turn around and go "see, that's why!" and just dig his heels in further. Almost seems counterproductive to come back with that in mind.

Good on him though. If you handle it professionally, they might actually give you what you want.

doesn't he have to play x amount of games to reach free agency or this whole shenanigans would roll over to next year?

 

[m9]

doesn't he have to play x amount of games to reach free agency or this whole shenanigans would roll over to next year?

Yes, if he sits out the year they can give him the same tag again.

The tricky part now is will be with the transition tag - the Steelers can still use that and they can match any offer to him in the offseason.

 

[Voight]

I think from his prospective he'll still be able to play/show teams hes still elite while not putting another 16 games of wear and tear on his body.

 

[m9]

I think from his prospective he'll still be able to play/show teams hes still elite while not putting another 16 games of wear and tear on his body.

That is definitely his plan, we'll see if it works. If he gets traded and needs to learn a new system and doesn't have the Steelers OL, this whole thing could prove very costly for him.

 

[Trap Jesus]

I think he's the best RB in the game, but he f***ed this up royally. No one is going to utilize him to the extent that the Steelers do, and Conner's play has definitely dropped his value.

 

[Quid Pro Clowe]

Exactly.

MJD, Foster, DeMarco Murray and Jamaal Charles are all guys who were done by 30. Look at Charles specifically, all it took was 1 injury for his career to basically end and at no point did he ever have a long term contract (aside from his rookie deal).

You get the anomalies like Frank Gore who are still workhorses in their mid 30's but its very rare.

That's cause Frank Gore is a hofer as a player and a person.

 

[Quid Pro Clowe]

I think he's the best RB in the game, but he ****ed this up royally. No one is going to utilize him to the extent that the Steelers do, and Conner's play has definitely dropped his value.

Nah, he'll get paid.

Earl Thomas would, too, but who knows how his injury will change his next deal.