The Steelers officially placed the exclusive franchise tag on running back Le’Veon Bell for the second consecutive year on Tuesday, the last day for teams to use the designation. The exclusive designation means that Bell is only permitted to negotiate with the Steelers. The tag for Bell is worth $14.544 million for the 2018 season, and the Steelers and Bell have until July 16 to agree to a multiyear contract or he will have to play the season on the franchise tag. Bell adjusted his contractual floor to $14.5 million per year to align with his tag salary. He won’t play for a contract that averages less annually, and also said he wasn’t bluffing when he told ESPN back in January that he would consider retirement if asked to play on the tag another year.
Editorial credit: Ken Durden / Shutterstock.com