The Bell Offer

[Slapstick]

Oh I assure you the owners don't want to make the change - that's why I think this next round of bargaining will be quite energetic. My point was that clearly the players want guaranteed money - who wouldn't? but they have failed in the past in securing the structure for those types of contracts. I believe that will be the focus of the NFLPA.

Then the owners will want 18 games...

[Starlifter]

Then the owners will want 18 games...

they already have 20........

[Buzz]

You can't sit there and tell me that Bell hasn't been taking heat publicly?

When your team offers you a contract that is $6 million more per year than the next highest paid player at your position, and you refuse to take that deal, then you ought to know you're going to get some "heat publicly." Again, I'm not condemning Bell; he is within his rights to do exactly what he has done. But there's no way he should be expecting to NOT take some heat, especially with all the rapping and social media yapping.

As far as Bell being "crucified," give me a break. He's still got lots of fans, and he's going to make $14.5 million this season. We should all be "crucified" so badly.

[papillon]

Did the Steelers make a mistake playing this game with Bell? They could have used the 14.5 million they're going to pay him this year in FA to bolster the defense, scoring more points won't matter come playoff time if they can't stop a rushing attack again.

Pappy

[feltdizz]

The Steelers are better with Bell at RB than without him.

Its not his fault Shazier was injured.

We drafted Jarvis, Dupree, Watt, Burns, Davis, Tuitt, Shazier, etc all after we got Bell.

At asome point we have to admit it’s not Bells money that is holding the D back. We just drafted a few misses on D with high picks.

[Northern_Blitz]

The Steelers are better with Bell at RB than without him.

Its not his fault Shazier was injured.

We drafted Jarvis, Dupree, Watt, Burns, Davis, Tuitt, Shazier, etc all after we got Bell.

At asome point we have to admit it’s not Bells money that is holding the D back. We just drafted a few misses on D with high picks.

I agree that it wasn't Bell's fault, but I don't think it would have been unreasonable for the Steelers not to have tagged him and used the room to get an impact LB.

I think that would be the team taking responsibility for missing on several D picks because they'd be choosing to get worse at one position (RB) to fill a big hole on the D.

I also think that tagging Bell was reasonable because I'd generally prefer to keep elite players when possible.

[Eich]

I agree that it wasn't Bell's fault, but I don't think it would have been unreasonable for the Steelers not to have tagged him and used the room to get an impact LB.

If one was available, I would agree.

As a team, we were a lot worse off without Shazier than we would be without Bell, IMO.

[Ghost]

Sure, the Steelers putting the number $70 M out there was silly. There’s NO chance he’d see all that money over the 5 year contract. But anyone claiming Bell would only be getting $10 M is an imbecile. That’s just a number Bell’s agent put out there to counteract the $70M. The $10 was the signing bonus. We don’t know what the salary for year 1 was going to be. What if year 1 was $5, $6 or $7 M? Then in year one he’s making $15 - $17m. And please don’t claim the salary wasn’t guaranteed. Its’s not as if after all these negotiations the Steelers were going to cut Bell come September.

Both sides are fudging the numbers. At the end of the day, the Steelers have never been a team that guarantees huge money over many years of a contract. Maybe Bell will find a team next year willing to do so. The Steelers made a good faith offer that, barring catastrophic injury, would have paid out $33 - $45 million overall over the first three years. It wasn’t enough so Bell will play on the franchise tag this season. Such is life.

[feltdizz]

Sure, the Steelers putting the number $70 M out there was silly. There’s NO chance he’d see all that money over the 5 year contract. But anyone claiming Bell would only be getting $10 M is an imbecile. That’s just a number Bell’s agent put out there to counteract the $70M. The $10 was the signing bonus. We don’t know what the salary for year 1 was going to be. What if year 1 was $5, $6 or $7 M? Then in year one he’s making $15 - $17m. And please don’t claim the salary wasn’t guaranteed. Its’s not as if after all these negotiations the Steelers were going to cut Bell come September.

Both sides are fudging the numbers. At the end of the day, the Steelers have never been a team that guarantees huge money over many years of a contract. Maybe Bell will find a team next year willing to do so. The Steelers made a good faith offer that, barring catastrophic injury, would have paid out $33 - $45 million overall over the first three years. It wasn’t enough so Bell will play on the franchise tag this season. Such is life.

yes, both sides are going to present their numbers and why it didn't work out.

I also think Bell is going to get more money from another team so in the end we had Bell for 6 years which isn't a bad deal.

[Oviedo]

I'm actually beginning to wonder if Bell really wants a long term contract. He obviously has interests outside of football and will have made about $30M before he is 30 years old. That is generational money no matter who you are.

I would not be shocked if Bell tests free agency next year and doesn't get near what he hopes he will and then decides to retire. If you look at the big picture and get over football obsession as a fan, it is probably a good play on Bell's part.

[feltdizz]

I'm actually beginning to wonder if Bell really wants a long term contract. He obviously has interests outside of football and will have made about $30M before he is 30 years old. That is generational money no matter who you are.

I would not be shocked if Bell tests free agency next year and doesn't get near what he hopes he will and then decides to retire. If you look at the big picture and get over football obsession as a fan, it is probably a good play on Bell's part.

I think he wants top 10 player in the NFL type money.

Not sure he will get it but I think he will make a ton in FA and have more guaranteed for 3 years.

and if you read up on how Kirk Cousins talk about the NFL contracts I think Bell has drank from the same well and these 2 have been in contact since day 1. Just feels like these 2 have been on a quest to push the market in the players direction since the players union was bent over at the last CBA.

[Captain Lemming]

The Steelers are better with Bell at RB than without him.

Its not his fault Shazier was injured.

We drafted Jarvis, Dupree, Watt, Burns, Davis, Tuitt, Shazier, etc all after we got Bell.

At asome point we have to admit it’s not Bells money that is holding the D back. We just drafted a few misses on D with high picks.

That is why you “sometimes” are wise to spend on elite free agents instead of overpaying less valuable positions elite money. They guys who are actually winning championships don’t spend big dough on running backs.

[Steel Maniac]

And that’s a fact.....

[SteelBucks]

That is why you “sometimes” are wise to spend on elite free agents instead of overpaying less valuable positions elite money. They guys who are actually winning championships don’t spend big dough on running backs.

Agreed. The Steelers made the Super Bowl with Bam Morris and Rashard Mendenhall...won the Super Bowl with Willie Parker. None of them broke the bank.

[Steel Maniac]

Agreed. The Steelers made the Super Bowl with Bam Morris and Rashard Mendenhall...won the Super Bowl with Willie Parker. None of them broke the bank.

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