Report: Steelers offered Bell 5-year contract worth $70M
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell was offered a five-year contract worth $70 million prior to Monday's deadline, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Bell and the Steelers couldn't reach a long-term contract ahead of the 4 p.m. cutoff point and the superstar will now be paid $14.5 million for the 2018 season courtesy of his second consecutive franchise tag. While the team did not confirm the contract figures, Bell was reportedly offered a deal that would've paid him more than $30 million over the first two years.
Related: Bell, 3 others fail to get long-term deals before franchise tag deadline
As a result of the impasse, Bell's agent informed ESPN's Adam Schefter that the upcoming season would likely be his client's last with the Steelers.
Bell sent a heartfelt message to his fans after the deadline expired:
to all my Steeler fans, my desire always has been to retire a Steeler...both sides worked extremely hard today to make that happen, but the NFL is a hard business at times...to the fans that had hope, I’m sorry we let youu down but trust me, 2018 will be my best season to date...
— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) July 16, 2018
Bell rushed for 1,291 yards and nine touchdowns, adding 85 receptions for 655 yards and two scores in 15 games during the 2017 season. He was named a first-team All-Pro for the second time in his career and earned his third Pro Bowl nod.