Le'Veon Bell

Pittsburgh Steelers Pro Bowl running back Le'Veon Bell has reportedly lowered his long-term salary demands to $14.5 million-per-season, which is the approximate value of his unsigned franchise tag. Unless the two sides come to terms on an extension by July 16, Bell will be locked into that $14.544 million one-year deal, but under no obligation to show up until that tag is signed and finalized.

Fantasy Impact

Bell has proven himself to be one of the best running backs in football but the current landscape makes it difficult for a team to pay so much money on a position that is considered replaceable. Bell's unsigned tag value would make his the league's highest-paid running back, but the 26-year-old wants a long-term deal that will keep him in that range for the foreseeable future. Don't expect Bell to report until September unless both sides can work out the impasse. Bell remains a top-3 fantasy target in every 2018 fantasy draft.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler is reporting Pittsburgh Steelers RB Le'Veon Bell is not expected to attend OTAs on Tuesday.

Fantasy Impact

Per Fowler, Bell's presumed absence from OTAs is a move that comes "widely expected." While Bell could earn $14.5 million in guaranteed money if he plays the 2018 season on the franchise tag, it would be his second consecutive year playing under the tender, which does not always favor a player with an injury/ off the field history similar to Bell's. And although he's threatened to hold out of OTAs, training camp and the preseason -- he even threatened to miss regular season action if he doesn't get a new deal -- I'm fully expecting Bell to be on the field when it counts. Let's face it, $14.5 million is a lot of guaranteed money to turn down, especially when you're not getting your weekly in-season game checks. Bell will open the 2018 season as a top 4 fantasy RB in both standard and PPR scoring formats.

On his personal Instagram account Wednesday night, Pittsburgh Steelers RB Le'Veon Bell said he will not hold out the 2018 season if he doesn't reach a long-term deal with the team.

Fantasy Impact

It appears that Bell had a change of heart on how he views his current contract situation with the Steelers. While in the past, he's stated that if the two sides do not come to terms on a long-term deal, he will sit out the 2018 season. However, in the wake of last night's comments, it looks like he's all-in. Per Bell, if he's forced to play the upcoming year under the fully guaranteed, $14.5 million tender, he will not miss any time with the exception of training camp. He referred to his situation as "just a re-run of last year." In the wake of Antiono Brown recently restructuring his contract, it's only a matter of time before Bell's dispute is resolved.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting the Pittsburgh Steelers have placed the franchise tag on RB Le’Veon Bell on Tuesday.

Fantasy Impact

For the second consecutive year, the Steelers have placed the franchise tag on Bell. It is a one-year guaranteed deal worth $14.544 million if and when he signs it. However, Bell has made it know that his ultimate goal is to reach a long-term deal with the Steelers and reset the running back market. Moreover, he’s made it clear that he’s willing to sit out until he gets a deal that he believes is a fair one. Since off the field distractions plagued the Steelers not only throughout the regular season but in the postseason as well, I’d assume that they want to wrap this up by training camp. Though, nothing is guaranteed, I still expect Bell to be on the field in Week 1.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport is reporting the Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to use the franchise tag on RB Le'Veon Bell before the upcoming Tuesday deadline.

Fantasy Impact

Although both sides were hoping to strike a deal prior to the March 6 deadline for teams to use the franchise tag on their respective players which expires at 4 pm Tuesday, it doesn't look like the Steelers and Bell will agree to terms. Instead, they will place the franchise tag on Bell for the second consecutive year, which works out to be a one-year fully guaranteed deal worth $14.544 million -- if he signs it. However, Bell has made it clear that he's willing to hold out while the Steelers have made it known that their top priority is locking Bell up long-term. Similar to Antonio Brown last offseason, I'm expecting this situation to be a favorable one for Bell. He'll get his deal. Its a matter of when.