Bell knows exactly what he wants to do in free agency

You gotta love his attitude.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18366115/leveon-bell-wants-remain-member-pittsburgh-steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing for their playoff run, but the franchise already has one eye on free agency. And their priority is re-signing Pro Bowl running back Le’Veon Bell, who is enjoying a career year in Pittsburgh.

Well, Bell isn’t holding his cards too close to his vest regarding his free-agent plans.

“I want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler,” Bell told reporters Wednesday, via ESPN. “We’re going to try to do whatever it takes to make that happen.”

http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/steelers-star-leveon-bell-knows-exactly-wants-free-agency-122816?cmpid=feed:-sports-CQ-RSS-Feed

I think they should franchise him. He might not like that, but if he gives us another solid season, then we can pay the man.

IowaSteeler927 wrote:

I think they should franchise him. He might not like that, but if he gives us another solid season, then we can pay the man.

Agreed. The franchise tag is a good way to tell Bell they want to see him actually play an entire season without suspensions. If he can go a season without the silliness, then maybe he's worth a long term contract.

He's had a great year. Short as it's been. I would agree with what's been said and ask him to show us 16 games next year of film to set his price.

16 games and no smoking or missed drug tests because of "new" phone numbers....

might of been the best thing for him to sit out the first three games less wear and tear he get a lot of touches in a year.

And I 100% expect that to happen.

No way they let him walk.

I agree, there's no way they let him walk.

I just hope they put something in his new contract about drug tests, smoking pot, etc.

Yeah I like the idea of giving him a year on the FT to see what he can do. I hope we can extend him long term. He's becoming one of my favorite players on the team. I just hope he stays away from the pot. I don't like the rule either but it's a rule.

shocking, a upcoming FA said he wants to stay with team............

Dom Rinelli@drinelli

#Steelers RB Le'Veon Bell (@L_Bell26) became the 1st player in NFL history to avg at least 100 rush & 50 rec yards/game in a season in 2016.

https://twitter.com/drinelli/status/817034335085793280

Thinking about this some more, maybe it's in the Steelers best interest to give him a contract now. Laden it with penalties regarding drug tests, missing tests, etc so they're covered for any stoopidity on his end of things.

The reason for this is to try and get him on bit cheaper and be able to resign a few other key veterans along the way. Certainly can't let him walk, but franchising him could also put us in a position where if he does well under the franchise tag, then we're going to have to make his payday more.

Lead the Steelers to a title and he can have max contract.

He would have to earn my trust before I committed big dollars for a long time.

Use the franchise tag, he still will make a great deal of money, then you can evaluate his behavior and health throughout next season before making the BIG commitment.

And then, management must do what it has to do to keep a player of his caliber.