LeVeon 3rd tag......

I agree with what you are saying (if his agent really does have a deal lined up). However, it makes Bell pretty stupid to be jet skiing and playing pick up basketball due to the injury risk.

 

Well, I never said Bell was smart! haha.

 

Why are these idiot analysts, who are supposed to be "in the know", all saying that its a "very real possibility" that the Steelers transition tag Bell?

The transition tag makes absolutely zero sense for the Steelers at this point. They are not going to match any offer for Bell as Conner is a far cheaper, just as productive, option. The tag offers them no compensation if Bell signs with someone else, so what in the world is the motivation for the Steelers to eat up almost $15M in cap space at the beginning of free agency on a guy they have no intention of signing?

 

Simple answer, Mano.

Its because those idiots get paid based on clicks, views or Neilson ratings. The more absurd they get, the bigger their paycheck.

 

It also wouldn't surprise me that the individual teams are more or less complicit with this. Every team has a publicity department. Every once in a while, I'm sure they lob little tidbits at these idiots knowing full well that they will take the bait and run with it. Its the PR department's job to keep the franchise in the news. That's not hard to do in this day and age.

 

I am sensitive to this argument.

I suppose it all really does come down to what he has in his back pocket. Furthermore, if that contract is more financially beneficial than what he could earn at PIT plus the next 2 to 3 contracts to end his career. I dont know how forgiving the NFl will be to a guy that did this, i would give strong odds that after this contract he may just be done once his production declines given his age and mileage which is bound to happen.

This really will come down to what offer he has. From the numbers that are pure rumour at this point, it doesn't seem worth it but if your figures are more accurate and someone will give him a longer contract with more guaranteed then fair enough, i just find it foolish to give a 26 going on 27 i think RB a 5 year contract with that much guaranteed but you are again correct in saying ive seen dumber shit.

2k

 

Production reigns, you know that. If he plays at an All Pro level for the next few years, his next deal will be a big one too, regardless of this little holdout.

I don't think Bell wants a 5 year deal. I think that's part of the problem with the Steelers' offer. A back loaded, long term deal is not ideal for a RB especially. I think he's leaning more towards a Kirk Cousins type of deal where its shorter term, like 3 years, but fully guaranteed. That gives him the most bang for his buck and gives him another crack at the open market while he's still young enough to cash in. That's why I speculated at the numbers I speculated at.

We won't know until March, but if he signs a deal similar to what I have laid out on the first day of free agency then we'll have a pretty good idea that I was right.

 

Production reigns generally speaking, Ray rice was good, very good and i suppose its fair to say no one took that hit on their image because he was starting to decline. I do think someone pulls the trigger on bell and gives a top 3 back in the league a big pay day. But i will say, perhaps i am misinformed, but i thought the PIT offer was a 3 year deal at 15m a year, it just wasnt all guaranteed?

Seems like he wants closer to 17 with a large portion guaranteed. It will be interesting to see where he goes.

2k

 

Just going of memory (it may even be on this thread somewhere, I'm just being lazy at the moment) but I'm pretty sure it was in the ballpark of 5 years, $60 million and he would've made $45 million the first 3 years of the deal. Now that wasn't in writing as guaranteed, but the Steelers just don't cut players before the third year so that was virtually guaranteed. I understand that if it isn't in writing it isn't binding but that is how the Steelers do business.

 

It was reportedly a 5 year deal worth a total of $70, so roughly $14M/year, with $33M guaranteed (although how much was fully guaranteed and how much was only guaranteed for injury is up for debate as the Steelers rarely fully guarantee future payments) and a total of $45M payable in the first 3 years. For him to play for $45M in the first 3 years...which is the part he can reasonably expect to make guaranteed...sounds reasonable. $15M/year, etc. However, at the age of 30, the Steelers would control him again for about $12.5M/year with nothing much left in guarantees. This would leave Bell potentially seeking his freedom or another extension at that time while he's still young enough to actually produce for another two or three years.

This is why I say that he likely wants a 3 year fully guaranteed deal if possible, and the reports are that he's looking for $17M/year, so that would be 3 years/$51M fully guaranteed...pretty close to what I predicted.

 

Yesterday I read there are rumors that Bell wants 17 million per season with 45 million guaranteed. I suppose those rumors are being generated by Bells agent or people close to Bell. Giving a guy with two strikes in the league substance abuse program that just sat out a season to get that guaranteed money is stupid. Not a good risk. With the salary cap increasing and teams desperate to win there will probably be more than one team willing to take the risk.

This is Bell's chance to cash in and make enough money to hang on yachts, rap in clubs, and shower dollar bills on fat booty strippers for the rest of his life. I am bitter but I don't blame him.

 

Then he's an idiot. He's not getting that from ANYBODY..........because frankly...........he isn't worth it. Any sensible GM isn't giving him one penny more than Gurley, and he doesn't begin to average $15 mil/year until 2020. Because frankly............given his age, mileage, suspension/injury risk, and after taking a year off.........his VALUE IS NOT GREATER than Gurley's.

 

Sorry but I think you are wrong.

There only needs to be one GM willing to break the bank for arguably the most complete RB in the game for him to get more than Gurley. Gurley was at a disadvantage compared to Bell. Gurley still had two years left on his contract, so the Rams had the leverage. A free agent will ALWAYS get more than a guy taking an extension. So Gurley’s contract is irrelevant in almost every way.

Bell will get his monster deal. You can bank on it.