Steelers, Le'Veon Bell fail to reach long-term contract agreement

Le'Veon Bell of the Pittsburgh Steelers still doesn’t have a long-term contract, and he won't before 2018.

After failing to reach an agreement for a new, multi-year contract by Monday's 4 p.m. ET, league-mandated deadline, the versatile running back is now resigned to playing this season for $12.12 million, the value of his one-year, exclusive franchise tag. He and the Steelers cannot resume negotiations until the season ends.

“Unfortunately, we were unable to agree to terms on a long-term contract with Le’Veon Bell prior to today’s deadline,” Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said in a statement.

“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.”

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The Steelers report for training camp in Latrobe, Pa., on July 27.

Though Bell lacks security, he will easily be the league's highest-paid tailback in 2017. The next closest per-year salary for a running back belongs to the Buffalo Bills' LeSean McCoy, who averages $8 million on his five-year deal.

In 2016, Bell racked up 1,268 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 261 carries, and added 75 receptions for 616 yards and two scores in 12 games. He became the first player in league history to average 100 yards rushing and 50 receiving in the same season.

Bell was suspended by the NFL for the first three games last year for missing multiple drug tests. He also sat out the regular-season finale to rest for the postseason.

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Follow Lorenzo Reyes on Twitter @LorenzoGReyes

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