Speaking on NFL Network during the unveiling of the NFL's Top 100 list, Le'Veon Bell said he remains hopeful he can get a long-term deal completed with the Steelers before the league's mandated July 16 deadline.
Bell, who finished fifth on this year's Top 100 list, said he and the team are closer this year than in 2017, when he eventually turned down a deal worth a reported $60 million over five years.
"Obviously, the people in the organization try to do what's best for them and I'm trying to do what's best for me," Bell said. "We're working on it. We're a lot closer than we were last year at this time. That's what I'm happy about. None of that matters if we don't get it done. Hopefully, we'll try to get something done. That's what I'm looking forward to. I got confidence we'll get it done. I want to do it."
Bell, 26, made $12.1 million last season after the Steelers placed the franchise tag on him prior to the start of the free agency period in 2017. The Steelers placed the franchise tag on him again this year, meaning he will make $14.5 million if the two sides are unable to reach an agreement on a long-term deal.
Bell skipped all of training camp and the preseason last year before reporting to the Steelers just a few days before their regular season opener against Cleveland. He has again skipped all of the team's offseason programs this year and likely would be looking at showing up at a similar point this fall if he doesn't have a long-term deal.
Despite skipping the entire offseason and preseason, Bell rushed for 1,291 yards and caught 85 passes for 655 yards in 2017. His 406 total touches led the NFL.
But his goal remains a long-term deal.
"Yeah. You know, regardless, that's what I want to do," said Bell. "I don't want to have the replications of what happened last year. But if that came down to that, obviously I got to do what I got to do. Take my stand and protect myself. I don't want to have to do that. I want to go to camp and play for the Steelers long-term."
