The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly expected to use the franchise tag to keep star running back Le’Veon Bell out of free agency this offseason.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Steelers plan to use the $12.4 million franchise tag as a tool to keep Bell from the open market while also buying more time for the team to get a long-term deal done.
Schefter said it would be “hard to imagine” a deal doesn’t get done between the two sides.
A second-round pick of the Steelers who is still only 24 years old, Bell quickly developed into one of the league’s premier running backs. He is currently averaging a league-high 161.6 yards from scrimmage per game through the first 10 games of the 2016 season.
Just last week, Bell produced 298 yards from scrimmage against the Buffalo Bills as the Steelers extended their winning streak to four games.
According to Schefter, Bell’s eventual deal will likely make him one of the NFL’s highest paid running backs.
The only major road block to a huge deal is Bell’s suspension history, which includes two different bans from the NFL over his first four years in the league. But as long as Bell continues producing at a historic pace, the Steelers can afford to overlook some of the past issues.
Over 45 career games, Bell has rushed for 3,830 yards and 25 touchdowns, while catching 219 passes for 1,952 yards and four scores.
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