Steelers not actively negotiating deal with Le’Veon Bell, won’t rescind tag

The Pittsburgh Steelers have said their goal is to sign Le’Veon Bell to a long-term extension rather than have him play under the franchise tag for a second consecutive year, but it does not sound like negotiations between the two sides are getting anywhere.

On Sunday, Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert told reporters that talks between the team and Bell’s camp are on hold for the time being. He also made it seem as though there is no chance the tag will be rescinded.

Steelers putting Le'Veon Bell negotiations on hold while navigating free agency/draft. GM Kevin Colbert said team will eventually continue dialogue with Bell's reps but there's no update on a deal. Rescinding franchise tag unlikely. Colbert still hopes Bell is at training camp.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 25, 2018

Kevin Colbert sure sounded that there is almost no way that they rescind Le'Veon Bell's franchise tag. @TheAthleticPGH

— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) March 25, 2018

Bell has hinted that he would rather retire or sit out an entire season than play under the tag again, but he recently backed down from those threats. The problem since last offseason seems to be that he wants to be paid like one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the game — which is much higher than the highest-paid running back — because of his role in the passing game.

Bell skipped almost all of training camp a year ago, and he has said he will do the same again this year if he doesn’t get a long-term deal. One star player already made an adjustment to his own contract to help the team re-sign Bell, but that is only a small part of the equation.