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Steelers, Bell need each other to succeed

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PITTSBURGH – When the Steelers placed an exclusive rights franchise tag on Le’Veon Bell in February, they knew there was a chance they would be unable to negotiate a long-term extension with the All-Pro running back.

The deadline to do so came and went at 4 p.m., Monday and Bell left the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex knowing he’ll play this season for $12.12 million – when he finally signs his offer sheet.

“Unfortunately, we were unable to agree to terms on a long-term contract with Le’Veon Bell prior to today’s deadline,” said General Manager Kevin Colbert in a statement Monday afternoon. “Le’Veon is scheduled to play this year under the Exclusive Franchise Tag designation. We will resume our efforts to address his contract situation following the 2017 season.”

There has been plenty of speculation surrounding the situation.

Some say Bell should skip training camp. The Steelers should run Bell until the wheels come off, say others.

Both are silly thoughts.

As soon as Bell signs the franchise offer sheet, his contract becomes fully guaranteed.

That means if he tears up his knee during training camp, the Steelers owe him $12.12 million.

If he gets into a car accident and can’t play another down, the Steelers owe him $12.12 million.

But if that were to happen between now and when he signs his deal, he gets nothing. The Steelers are under no obligation to pay him a dime.

Four seasons into his NFL career, Bell has taken home $3.8 million. That’s a hefty sum for you and me. But for a player who has put up 6,050 yards in 47 career games – an average of 128.7 per game – it’s peanuts.

Getting $12.12 million to play this season is life-changing money. And it’s more in line with what Bell should be paid, despite a depressed market for running backs in the NFL.

As for those who feel the Steelers should run Bell “until the wheels fall off,” they are simply rehashing a 10-year-old quote from head coach Mike Tomlin.

Tomlin once famously said he would run Willie Parker until the wheels come off. Turns out, they did.

But Bell is not Parker.

Parker was a good running back, one whose game was built around his speed. Bell is a great running back, perhaps the best in the league.

Speed is fleeting – no pun intended – in the NFL. Once it goes, so does the rest of your game.

Bell, however, might be the most complete running back to come into the league in a decade. He is excellent as a runner. He’s outstanding as a receiver. And he’s every bit as good as a pass blocker.

Tomlin has run Bell almost exclusively in each of his first four seasons in the league and the results have been great. The Steelers are 33-18 in the past four seasons with Bell in the lineup. They are 11-9 when he doesn’t play.

That record includes a 1-3 record in the playoffs when Bell doesn’t play. They’re 2-1 with him, which includes the handful of carries he got in last year’s AFC Championship loss before leaving with a groin injury.

He’s obviously had his issues, be they injuries or violations of the NFL substance abuse policy. When he plays, the Steelers have a much better chance to win.

Running him into the ground makes no sense. If anything, Tomlin should ease Bell’s load to make sure he’s available in the postseason.

The Steelers have a team built to contend for the Super Bowl this season. Chances are, they’ll also be in the mix in 2018, especially if quarterback Ben Roethlisberger comes back again.

And they’ll have an even better chance to win so long as they have Bell carrying the football.

At the end of this season, the Steelers will again try to sign Bell to a long-term extension. If that doesn’t happen, they’ll place the franchise tag on him again and start this process all over.

Just as having Roethlisberger on the roster makes this team an immediate Super Bowl contender, so, too, does having Bell in the lineup.

Running him into the ground accomplishes little except making sure this team doesn’t achieve its ultimate goal.

Bell needs the Steelers for obvious reasons. They’re paying him a lot of money. But they need him just as much to succeed.

Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.

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