LeVeon's Tweet

[Slapstick]

Well being immature has nothing to do with the "I will sit out" tactic. Not sure how this IF true will sit with the FO.
In the past I would be really sure it is a stupid move for the player. And it still might be with the couple issues Bell has.
If it was me in charge I would let him sit out. Draft a RB and pick up another in FA. This could be interesting or nothing. We shall see.

Between AB and Bell, that may be part of the reason that the Steelers made sure to resolve their cap situation...

My understanding is that the Steelers have to carry his tag value for the whole year, even if he doesn't sign it. But, as long as he sits out, they don't have to pay him. If he does sit out the entire season, it is possible that part of (or all of) his tag value would roll over to next season's salary cap...

[steelsnis]

Hahaha it's amazing to see the usual suspects here in this thread bashing anything and everything. It was an APRIL FOOLS JOKE.

[feltdizz]

those two first rounders for a non-exclusive tag are starting to look better?

It's a shame we turned down that offer from...???

oh wait, you don't own a team.

[SteelerMaine83]

Between AB and Bell, that may be part of the reason that the Steelers made sure to resolve their cap situation...

My understanding is that the Steelers have to carry his tag value for the whole year, even if he doesn't sign it. But, as long as he sits out, they don't have to pay him. If he does sit out the entire season, it is possible that part of (or all of) his tag value would roll over to next season's salary cap...

Or, you could trade him. When a player of his caliber (IMO, just to be clear on my opinion of him as a player, he is the best, most complete RB in the game--when healthy, when not suspended) starts pushing these buttons, you have to look at all options. With AP a FA, Bell's "tag" would make him the highest paid RB in the game, if only for a year. Look around Le'Veon--the RB market is not exactly the one getting paid in today's NFL. What would the hated Pats do? They'd probably turn him loose rather than put up with his BS--they sometimes do things that make you scratch your head, but they have no fear. They will adjust, they will win. Even if this is only an April Fool's joke, it's good to explore options that might make your team better. After all, how many Super Bowl's have we won with Bell as our RB?

So, in a draft that is deep with talent, trading him for some nice draft picks may make sense. I looked at 4 potential trade partners (Carolina, Cleveland, New Orleans & Washington), and though Cleveland was tempting (who cares they are in the division, they're the Stains), I chose Carolina. So, I trade L. Bell to Carolina for their 1 ( and 2 (40), and Jonathan Stewart. I then draft at 8 either Adams, Hooker or Lattimore to beef up our secondary (one will likely still be available at that spot), pick McCaffrey at 30 (Stewart & McCaffrey--two to replace one), pick T.J. Watt or Lawson at 40 (I think one of them will be available there), then the rest of our draft looks like this (assuming we end up with Lattimore-CB, at :

62 T.Basham-OLB
94 D. Kazee-CB
105 J. Johnson-FS
135 G. Kittle-TE (would take a TE higher if L.Green can't pass the concussion protocol later this month at OTA's--if he can't Injury Settlement/Waive)
173 T. Vallejo-ILB (banged up last year-can cover)
213 J. Morgan-OG/C (replaces the "baller" Wallace)
248 D. Henderson-RB (w/McCaffrey on board, K.Davis is probably expendable as a returner so Henderson becomes the #3)

Why not? If Bell is serious, I want value now, and this saves a bundle on our salary cap number this year and in the next few years. We will be more capable of winning number 7 with improved D than mortgaging our future on an unreliable RB.

[steelsnis]

Why are people still talking about this like it's real???

https://twitter.com/L_Bell26/status/848384631972012032

[Mr.wizard]

OMG, a football player made an April fools joke on social media.

Trade him now!!!

LOL, trade him and draft Joe Mixon, that will send the message that we won't put up with such immature behavior!

[SteelerMaine83]

Why are people still talking about this like it's real???

https://twitter.com/L_Bell26/status/848384631972012032

Real or not real, I think it's good to discuss other options. Before the April's Fool tweet, I didn't think much about this, but letting him go at the right price might make us better over the next few years. The RB market is down in $, signing him long term will tie up a lot of money under the cap for the next 4-5 years, and we could save money and get more high picks (potentially). Improving our defense is how we win #7. With the offensive talent we have (other than Bell), we could probably be a better team (at a more cap-friendly future)with Lattimore, Watt, Basham, Kazee and Johnson added to the defense, Stewart/McCaffrey handling the RB duties (replace Stewart in a year or two), and McCaffrey as a return weapon, too. This is what I was getting at in my previous post.

Just something to think about. I'm getting used to (or tired of) not having Bell when it matters.

[Ernie]

Real or not real, I think it's good to discuss other options. Before the April's Fool tweet, I didn't think much about this, but letting him go at the right price might make us better over the next few years. The RB market is down in $, signing him long term will tie up a lot of money under the cap for the next 4-5 years, and we could save money and get more high picks (potentially). Improving our defense is how we win #7. With the offensive talent we have (other than Bell), we could probably be a better team (at a more cap-friendly future)with Lattimore, Watt, Basham, Kazee and Johnson added to the defense, Stewart/McCaffrey handling the RB duties (replace Stewart in a year or two), and McCaffrey as a return weapon, too. This is what I was getting at in my previous post.

Just something to think about. I'm getting used to (or tired of) not having Bell when it matters.

excellent post...and an accurate statement "Getting used to (or tired of)".

[Steelwolf]

I agree, if the price is right trade him...a true statement when he is needed he usually is injured or suspended

[feltdizz]

I agree, if the price is right trade him...a true statement when he is needed he usually is injured or suspended

The problem with your post is we NEEDED Bell to win a lot of games in order to make the playoffs. People keep posting like Ben is lighting it up on offense.

Without Bell we don't win 75% of our games the last 2 years. Sure, it would be nice to have a fresh Bell for the playoffs but the reason he is usually dinged up in the playoffs is because we ride him every week during the season.

Show me me an efficient offense without Bell and I would agree but our offense runs through AB and Bell. It makes sense to pay these guys fair market value until the defense is up for big contracts.

[Mr.wizard]

I agree, Bell was a huge a part of our offense last season, we don't even get to the AFCCG without Bell. I also agree that there is no place on defense to spend the money, might as well lock up the best running back in the league.

[feltdizz]

I agree, Bell was a huge a part of our offense last season, we don't even get to the AFCCG without Bell. I also agree that there is no place on defense to spend the money, might as well lock up the best running back in the league.

why stop at Bell? Let's trade AB, Ben and Bell for great defensive players and win with draft picks since we can't win with our offense.

Im sure we could get 5 first rounders and a few second rounders for those 3.

Draft one of these great QB's in this draft and go defense the rest of the way and win 3 SB's on their rookie contracts.

[Mr.wizard]

why stop at Bell? Let's trade AB, Ben and Bell for great defensive players and win with draft picks since we can't win with our offense.

Im sure we could get 5 first rounders and a few second rounders for those 3.

Draft one of these great QB's in this draft and go defense the rest of the way and win 3 SB's on their rookie contracts.

You forgot to fire the coaching staff.

[SteelCrazy]

You guys forgot how the Steelers win.....championships

[Shawn]

You know what I just thought of that would please me a great deal? If the Steelers drafted Mahommes in the first, Mixon in the second...the epic melt down on this board would be very amusing to watch.