Could All-Pro Running Back Le’Veon Bell Be On The Move?

Brook Ward via Flickr

NFL

Pittsburgh Steelers Are Listening To Trade Offers

With All-Pro running back Le’Veon Bell sitting out the first two weeks of the regular season, it appears the Steelers are fed up. Adam Schefter is reporting that Pittsburgh is now listening to trade offers for the star running back. Unfortunately for Steeler fans, it looks more likely that they’ll see Le’Veon Bell on the move and in a new uniform than back on the field in black-and-gold.

Throughout the Bell offseason saga, the Steelers have remained adamant that Bell was a part of this team — until today. Pittsburgh’s front office previously stated that they had no interest in trading Bell when he sat out Week 1.

After his Week 1 absence, however, the Steelers removed Bell from the team’s depth chart. Bell followed suit by not reporting the following week, again, prompting the Steelers to remove him from the team’s official roster.

Pittsburgh will play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night and it continues to look like Bell will once again be absent.

Bell’s Value

What could the Steelers realistically receive for the All-Pro running back? To find the answer, we have to look at a few different factors making this deal very difficult to believe.

Baggage

Although Bell is a world-class talent, any team willing to take a chance on him will have to deal with all of his baggage. Bell has faced multiple suspensions and injuries that could scare teams off.

During the 2015 season, Bell was suspended the first two games due to a DUI charge. Later that year, Bell tore his MCL/PCL — ending his season after playing only six games. The following season, Bell was suspended for the first three games after failing a drug test — violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Last season started with an offseason holdout, which lead to a plodding start for Bell.

Pittsburgh’s season ended quicker than expected in 2017, as the Steelers were dominated at home in the playoffs by the Jacksonville Jaguars. While Bell had a solid game and did what he could to win, it was later reported that Bell showed up late to the team’s walk-through.

Contract And Return

Another big hurdle facing teams in the market for Bell’s services is his contract status and demands. Due to him being under the franchise tag, Bell cannot sign a long-term deal with any team this season. This would force the team that signs him to take a gamble on his long-term status. Bell’s contract situation will allow him to leave during free agency next season, whether he’s in Pittsburgh or elsewhere.

During the offseason negotiation period with Pittsburgh, it was reported that Bell rejected a five-year, $70 million deal with $33 million guaranteed. With Bell’s demands likely to be well over that offer, teams would have to be ready to fork over big money to sign him.

Pittsburgh would also most likely receive a third-round compensatory pick for Bell leaving after this season. With that in mind, the floor for any trade deal will have to include at least a third-round pick. Also, Bell would have to sign off on any trade — as he has yet to sign his franchise tender.

Value

Bell’s value has to be set by any team wanting to trade for him. Teams will look at his career usage being, 1,541 career total touches at the age of 26. Prospective teams will also have to factor what they could get out of him this season.

Bell hasn’t touched a football field since last January and would be rusty if a deal happened. The trade would also have to be to a team he wants, for a minimum of a 3rd round pick with the risk of Bell only playing for half of a season. Although Bell is an all-world talent, there is almost no value in a trade for him.

Prediction

Pittsburgh will field offers for Bell, but it will be virtually impossible for a deal to get done. There are only a handful of teams that have the cap space, assets, and need for Bell. Also, he would have to sign off on a deal which may eliminate a deal completely.

I find it hard to believe a team would be willing to give up more than a third round pick for a half-season rental of a player who has a lot of wear and tear. This is just the latest chapter in a story that all Steelers fans want to move on from.

Photo Credit

Featured Image courtesy of Brook Ward

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