Changed my thoughts about the Bell contract

[Steel Maniac]

Don't forget the RGIII deal.

the guy Snyder personally picked?? Shanahan told Snyder he wasn't the guy but as usual, Snyder thought he knew more then a guy who coached Elway and won two Super Bowls.

[Steel Maniac]

I agree that his market value isn't what drives his current pay because the team is allowed to tag him (i.e. pay him below market value).

But it's not like that happens in a vacuum. He knows that he's worth more on the market. The Steelers do to (that's why they tag him). When it happens twice to a guy who only has so many years to get a big long contract, it's got to be frustrating.

He could take the deal that the Steelers have offered him. It's generational money. But, it's still probably below what he's worth. I don't blame him for wanting what he'd get on the market. He'll probably get to see what that is. Hopefully, his value goes up this year after winning a super bowl with the Steelers.

Northcoast, I just have a gut feel that no one (including the redskins (snyder) or the Jets or 49ers) is willing to pay him more than we are now. Why should they? They've all sat back and watch the position become devalued over the last 8-10 years. They know they can get a guy in the draft to come in and be effective. I think this thought of him getting more on the open market is bull$hit now. Maybe a few years ago, but not now.

[BURGH86STEEL]

Northcoast, I just have a gut feel that no one (including the redskins (snyder) or the Jets or 49ers) is willing to pay him more than we are now. Why should they? They've all sat back and watch the position become devalued over the last 8-10 years. They know they can get a guy in the draft to come in and be effective. I think this thought of him getting more on the open market is bull$hit now. Maybe a few years ago, but not now.

The Steelers believed that someone would pay Bell more money or give him a better contract structure than they offered. It only takes one team. Bell is going to get paid by somebody if he can remain healthy this year.

[Northern_Blitz]

Northcoast, I just have a gut feel that no one (including the redskins (snyder) or the Jets or 49ers) is willing to pay him more than we are now. Why should they? They've all sat back and watch the position become devalued over the last 8-10 years. They know they can get a guy in the draft to come in and be effective. I think this thought of him getting more on the open market is bull$hit now. Maybe a few years ago, but not now.

Then why do you think that we tagged him?

I don't think the FO is stupid. So I assume they believe that tagging him means we are paying him less.

Bell is a special talent. If he stays healthy this year and doesn't regress I think he'll get a massive deal for next season.

[feltdizz]

Then why do you think that we tagged him?

I don't think the FO is stupid. So I assume they believe that tagging him means we are paying him less.

Bell is a special talent. If he stays healthy this year and doesn't regress I think he'll get a massive deal for next season.

some folks act like Bell is just any old RB. He isn’t a Mike Wallace or FWP that is one dimensional. He does all 3 things exceptionally well that a team wants from a RB. I don’t think he will get 17 mill from anyone but I could see him getting 14 to 15 mill a season and a better guarantee offer than we put currently giving him.

Will be interesting to see what he gets if he leaves after this year.

[Ernie]

some folks act like Bell is just any old RB. He isn’t a Mike Wallace or FWP that is one dimensional. He does all 3 things exceptionally well that a team wants from a RB. I don’t think he will get 17 mill from anyone but I could see him getting 14 to 15 mill a season and a better guarantee offer than we put currently giving him.

Will be interesting to see what he gets if he leaves after this year.

I actually haven't seen that, at least not on this forum. You know its honestly sad to think how much money Bell has missed out in (endorsement deals etc) because he made some bad decisions (violating substance abuse policy more than once).... to the point that he feels he has to hold out for 1.5 to 2 million more than what the Steelers have offered him. His "Extras" would have more than made up the difference...and allowed him to retire a Steeler. I think we all would have loved to have seen that (for the right money)...

but instead what is likely to happen... he is going to sign for a few dollars more... to a cellar dweller not likely to sniff the playoffs for the rest of his career (let alone compete for SB's every year).

[Mr.wizard]

The Running back market is going to get reset here real soon anyways, with guys like Zeke Elliot, Todd Gurley, and David Johnson all coming up. Also teams are relying more and more on the running back position not just for running the ball but receiving also. The position is no longer the Frank Gore's of the world grinding out 4 yards on the first 2 downs of a series and then heading to the sideline.

[RuthlessBurgher]

The Running back market is going to get reset here real soon anyways, with guys like Zeke Elliot, Todd Gurley, and David Johnson all coming up. Also teams are relying more and more on the running back position not just for running the ball but receiving also. The position is no longer the Frank Gore's of the world grinding out 4 yards on the first 2 downs of a series and then heading to the sideline.

All of those guys you mentioned will likely average between 1.5 to 2 times what Devonta Freeman's contract current pays him, and rightfully so. Freeman is a committee RB. Each of those guys are do-it-all bell cows who add a dynamic aspect to their offenses.

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

"... bell cows" or "Bell cows"?

[Captain Lemming]

The Running back market is going to get reset here real soon anyways, with guys like Zeke Elliot, Todd Gurley, and David Johnson all coming up.

Not a single ring to be found among them. Not one among. You know who DIDNT reset the market? The ONE GUY in the NFL today who was the leading rusher in THREE SB victories on two team. Blounts deal.....2 mil before incentives.

Also teams are relying more and more on the running back position not just for running the ball but receiving also. The position is no longer the Frank Gore's of the world grinding out 4 yards on the first 2 downs of a series and then heading to the sideline.

Really? Are CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS doing that? I never noticed what elite receivers Blount and Ajayi were last year.

[Captain Lemming]

All of those guys you mentioned will likely average between 1.5 to 2 times what Devonta Freeman's contract current pays him, and rightfully so. Freeman is a committee RB. Each of those guys are do-it-all bell cows who add a dynamic aspect to their offenses.

Do they "add rings" to their fingers?
What about the other "dynamic" backs who "set the market" in recent years?

I can think of two.
What happened when Chis Johnson and Adrian Petersen got paid big bucks at the time?

Are Willie Parker and Blount better backs than those guys? No.
AP in particular was a BEAST.
But elite backs arent as crucial to success as other positions.

History proves it.

Elite backs are fools gold people. Pay big bucks to positions that correlate to championships, save elsewhere to pay those positions.

[Captain Lemming]

some folks act like Bell is just any old RB. He isn’t a Mike Wallace or FWP that is one dimensional.

You are right FWP was one dimensional.
Heck Bell had more catches LAST SEASON than Willie had in SIX SEASONS as a Steeler.
Yet FWP started on not 1, but 2 championship teams.

The guy who won a ring last year was "one dimensional" as was the prior champ rb, and the one the year before.

[steelz09]

Do they "add rings" to their fingers?
What about the other "dynamic" backs who "set the market" in recent years?

I can think of two.
What happened when Chis Johnson and Adrian Petersen got paid big bucks at the time?

Are Willie Parker and Blount better backs than those guys? No.
AP in particular was a BEAST.
But elite backs arent as crucial to success as other positions.

History proves it.

Elite backs are fools gold people. Pay big bucks to positions that correlate to championships, save elsewhere to pay those positions.

I wouldn't mind the Steelers paying "big bucks" in a 3 year deal that averaged 15 mil or so. Similar to the deal that Bell turned down last year.

At this point, I think the smart move is just let him play this year on the franchise tag and let him walk after the season. I have no. Issue with that.

[Mr.wizard]

Do they "add rings" to their fingers?
What about the other "dynamic" backs who "set the market" in recent years?

I can think of two.
What happened when Chis Johnson and Adrian Petersen got paid big bucks at the time?

Are Willie Parker and Blount better backs than those guys? No.
AP in particular was a BEAST.
But elite backs arent as crucial to success as other positions.

History proves it.

Elite backs are fools gold people. Pay big bucks to positions that correlate to championships, save elsewhere to pay those positions.

I don't buy that, besides Ben nobody touches the ball more or accounts for more of our offense than Leveon Bell why would we not want an elite guy in that spot? Your judging Bell because he has an "RB" next to his name on the depth chart and not by what his actual role encompasses.

[Ernie]

I don't buy that, besides Ben nobody touches the ball more or accounts for more of our offense than Leveon Bell why would we not want an elite guy in that spot? Your judging Bell because he has an "RB" next to his name on the depth chart and not by what his actual role encompasses.

This is true... the RB's get more touches than anybody besides the QB. Most teams do it effectively by committee (and for far less than 15 million a year).