Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers place franchise tag on Le'Veon Bell

FILE - In this Oct. 18, 2015, file photo, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell carries the ball during a game against the Arizona Cardinals in Pittsburgh. Bell returns to the lineup for the Steelers on Sunday against Kansas City.

PITTSBURGH — As expected, the Steelers have placed the exclusive franchise tag on running back Le’Veon Bell.

That designation is applied to a player scheduled to become a free agent, and it means that no other team can sign Bell. Instead, he will will receive a one-year tender for the average of the league’s five highest-paid players at his position, which is about $12 million.

Bell was the Steelers Most Valuable Player last season with 1,268 rushing yards and 616 receiving yards. He accounted for nine total touchdown in 12 games.

Bell was a Pro Bowl selection for the second time in his career and ranks fifth in Steelers history with 4,045 rushing yards.

The franchise designation also gives the Steelers about four-and-a-half months to sign Bell to a new contract. They’ll have until July 15 to negotiate a new deal.

 

Cox Media Group

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