Why Le'Veon Bell was the real winner in the break down of his contract negotiations

Franchise tag deadline was July 16 and the day passed without a single player being able to workout a long-term deal with their team. Among those players was Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell.

Bell is one of the premiere backs in the NFL. In just five years in the league he has amassed more than 5,300 yards rushing with 35 rushing touchdowns as well as 2,660 yards receiving with an additional seven touchdowns. This despite missing games in 2013 and 2016 and being out with an injury most of 2015.

Despite all of his accomplishments on the field, the Steelers have been reluctant to sign the young back to a long-term deal, opting to franchise tag him each of the last three seasons. While Bell has faced injury and off-field issues his production numbers on the field both in the backfield and out in space are hide to deny. Any argument that Bell is not worth a long-term investment is made moot by his consistent play on the field and the fact he is still a young player in the league at only 26. If he were an older back whose numbers had shown decline in the last few seasons this would be more of an argument to make but as we have seen him produce back to back seasons of 1200 plus yards, it would behoove the Steelers to be willing to sign him to a deal worthy of his numbers.

Teams are always willing to invest in quarterbacks, even those who haven't proven to be worth a long-term high paying deal. The same respect is not given to the running back position and in particular to players like Bell who play more than one position on the field. While he is not worth quarterback money, his compensation should be closer to that of a WR2.

Bell wants to be paid like a premiere player who plays both back and receiver (which he does). The Steelers want to pay him in alignment with what the league is playing the top running backs in the league. This would make sense if he were only used as a feature back and not a slot receiver in numerous formations. To dismiss this aspect of his game is to deny that he plays a much more significant role in the team's offense. Which seems to be what the team is doing by not being willing to offer Bell closer to the numbers he wishes to receive.  Bell has made less money in five years with the Steelers than Ezekiel Elliott has made in two years with the Cowboys. At some point Bell deserves to receive a fair compensation for his work not his position.

Bell will play this season on a $14.5 million franchise tag. He will have the option to move on next season and find a team willing to pay him more of what he is worth as a RB1/WR2. Unfortunately after this latest break down, it isn't likely to happen in Pittsburgh. Bell's agent has already made it clear this is likely his client's last season for the Steelers.