After...

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

So ... I thought he was promising up and down he was in "football shape" right now. But if he were, he wouldn't be at any higher injury risk playing in 2018 than he will be next year, going through training camp with a new team, etc. Hmm, maybe (just maybe) he's *not* in football shape now, he knows it, and he got cold feet after seeing Dez Bryant go down after lying on the couch for a few months?

So ... he's banking on teams signing him in 2019 sight unseen in 2018.

I think if I were an owner, I'd pay him a lot less in 2019 if he hadn't played since 2017.

[squidkid]

After seeing what happened to Earl Thomas and now Bryant, I can't really blame Bell for not wanting to step out there with out a long term deal in place.

both guys had opportunities for long term contracts. 1 turned it down, the other signed it but didnt want to fulfill his obligation

[Mr.wizard]

So ... I thought he was promising up and down he was in "football shape" right now. But if he were, he wouldn't be at any higher injury risk playing in 2018 than he will be next year, going through training camp with a new team, etc. Hmm, maybe (just maybe) he's *not* in football shape now, he knows it, and he got cold feet after seeing Dez Bryant go down after lying on the couch for a few months?

So ... he's banking on teams signing him in 2019 sight unseen in 2018.

I think if I were an owner, I'd pay him a lot less in 2019 if he hadn't played since 2017.

You can still get injured if your in football shape

[Mr.wizard]

both guys had opportunities for long term contracts. 1 turned it down, the other signed it but didnt want to fulfill his obligation

And the guy that turned it down is not playing right now because he wants a contract he likes but he's healthy, the other played on a contract he didn't like and now may not get an opportunity to sign a contract he wanted. Point is Bell didn't like the contracts offered to him so he didn't sign them, he decided he will wait until next year when multiple teams can bid on his services and he can pick the contract he likes, that seems pretty sensible to me.

[Ernie]

You can still get injured if your in football shape

So it's being reported now that Bell will not show up this week and sign his tag... which means he loses 14.5 million guaranteed money.

His stock has also dropped significantly over the course of the season for multiple reasons, which means he will likely lose millions over what he could have made (had he played his cards right). I don't think too many folks on here are going to defend Bell at this point for conducting "Smart Business".

[Ernie]

And the guy that turned it down is not playing right now because he wants a contract he likes but he's healthy, the other played on a contract he didn't like and now may not get an opportunity to sign a contract he wanted. Point is Bell didn't like the contracts offered to him so he didn't sign them, he decided he will wait until next year when multiple teams can bid on his services and he can pick the contract he likes, that seems pretty sensible to me.

except its not likely he's gonna get the "Contract he likes"...

[BURGH86STEEL]

So it's being reported now that Bell will not show up this week and sign his tag... which means he loses 14.5 million guaranteed money.

His stock has also dropped significantly over the course of the season for multiple reasons, which means he will likely lose millions over what he could have made (had he played his cards right). I don't think too many folks on here are going to defend Bell at this point for conducting "Smart Business".

Has his stocked dropped based on your hopes, wishes, or opinion or do you know the other owners will black ball Bell? From what I can see there are several RB needy teams in the league. It only takes one team. It's really not that complicated.

His stock would drop if he suffered a torn ACL playing on a one year deal. I seriously doubt his stock drops over what's transpired. Remember it only takes one team.

Bell made a calculated risk. We don't know how the situation will play out. It's like some fans are so blind that they don't see the contracts offered to other players around the league. Again it only takes one team.

I really don't care what Bell decides. I understand why he made the decision. Bell gets less than the Steelers offered on the open market it's his loss. If he makes more than the Steelers offered it's a win. Regardless Bell is still going to make a lot of money as a FA. At the end of the day Bell is still going to make a lot of money.

[BURGH86STEEL]

except its not likely he's gonna get the "Contract he likes"...

It's a 50 percent chance he will. Take a look around the league. Talented players and productive players get paid a lot of money. It's a risk he was willing to take.

At the end of the day all players are hired mercenaries. Teams will cut players before contracts expire. Fans will want players cut players before their contracts expire for "cheaper opitions".

[Captain Lemming]

Has his stocked dropped based on your hopes, wishes, or opinion or do you know the other owners will black ball Bell? From what I can see there are several RB needy teams in the league. It only takes one team. It's really not that complicated.

His stock would drop if he suffered a torn ACL playing on a one year deal. I seriously doubt his stock drops over what's transpired. Remember it only takes one team.

Bell made a calculated risk. We don't know how the situation will play out. It's like some fans are so blind that they don't see the contracts offered to other players around the league. Again it only takes one team.

I really don't care what Bell decides. I understand why he made the decision. Bell gets less than the Steelers offered on the open market it's his loss. If he makes more than the Steelers offered it's a win. Regardless Bell is still going to make a lot of money as a FA. At the end of the day Bell is still going to make a lot of money.

But talented RUNNING BACKS were not being paid big bucks. Gurley is to date the exception.
Gurley is.
1. Younger
2. Faster
3. Less beat up
4. Less injury prone as a pro
5. Is not ONE STRIKE from a year suspension
6. Was not replaced by another back who is putting up superior numbers.
7. Played great ON THE TEAM THAT SIGNED HIM

Point 6 and 7 are big because Bell ain't no young Adrian Peterson (or even Gurley) supreme physical talent.

Bell averaged 4 ypc.....on our team. If he simply did not get the ludicrous carries we gave him last season he was NOT special as a runner.

What success would he have on a team with a lesser line?

Our line is weird. It excels at limiting penetration (thus the very low sacks), but save for Decastro, is not a special drive blocking unit.

Our line is a perfect compliment to Bells weird patient style.

I really think the already declining Bell will never be the same back on another team as he was with us a couple of years ago.

As you said, it only takes one. But the fact that Gurley got his doesn't mean Bell gets what he wants.

And dont forget what he needs is 14.5 mil more than we offered to make his plan worthwhile.

That is far more than Gurley money.

[Mr.wizard]

except its not likely he's gonna get the "Contract he likes"...

Why isn't it likely?

[Captain Lemming]

Why isn't it likely?

A "contract he likes" will not only need to exceed his offer from us, it needs to make up income lost this season. That is unlikely.

If Bell made Gurley money it would not make up for the 14.5 it looks like he will leave on the table this year

In my last post I provided 7 reasons why Gurley was a safer more logical signing than Bell.

[Mr.wizard]

Has his stocked dropped based on your hopes, wishes, or opinion or do you know the other owners will black ball Bell? From what I can see there are several RB needy teams in the league. It only takes one team. It's really not that complicated.

His stock would drop if he suffered a torn ACL playing on a one year deal. I seriously doubt his stock drops over what's transpired. Remember it only takes one team.

Bell made a calculated risk. We don't know how the situation will play out. It's like some fans are so blind that they don't see the contracts offered to other players around the league. Again it only takes one team.

I really don't care what Bell decides. I understand why he made the decision. Bell gets less than the Steelers offered on the open market it's his loss. If he makes more than the Steelers offered it's a win. Regardless Bell is still going to make a lot of money as a FA. At the end of the day Bell is still going to make a lot of money.

Exactly, there are teams out there with a lot of cap space and a need for play makers, Bell is going to a lot of money and in the structure he likes. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if Bell and his agent don't already know what team and how much they are willing to pay.

[Mr.wizard]

A "contract he likes" will not only need to exceed his offer from us, it needs to make up income lost this season. That is unlikely.

Does it, says who? and how do you know it's unlikely?

[Captain Lemming]

Does it, says who?

Bell is looking to make more than what he'd make as a Steeler. Bell has said it.

and how do you know it's unlikely?

Losing an entire season of pay in the narrow years of his prime makes that unlikely.

[Mr.wizard]

Bell is looking to make more than what he'd make as a Steeler. Bell has said it.

Losing an entire season of pay in the narrow years of his prime makes that unlikely.

But he can Still make more than the Steelers offer and not make up the 14.5 million, he never came out and said he wanted to make more than the offer plus make up the additional 14.5 million.