Rochesterfan Posted November 22, 2018 Posted November 22, 2018 On 11/18/2018 at 10:43 AM, 26CornerBlitz said: The Steelers and Le'Veon Bell both made closing pushes leading up to Tuesday's deadline to iron out a deal that would have brought him back to Pittsburgh this season, but neither side could finalize an agreement, league sources told ESPN. The Steelers were told that if they were willing to not use their franchise or transition tag on Bell after this season, he would consider reporting to the team, according to sources. But the Steelers declined Bell's request because they felt the tag was too important to forego. This sets up a brewing battle between the NFL's management council and the NFL Players Association in a potentially precedent-setting case over Bell's future, a case that likely will be decided by an arbitrator, according to league sources. The management council believes the Steelers will be able to use a $9.5 million transition tag on Bell this offseason that would give Pittsburgh the chance to match any offer sheet that the Pro Bowl running back signs with another team. The council believes the $9.5 million salary should be based on his salary this year, which Bell forfeited by not reporting. But the NFLPA believes that the transition tag must be $14.54 million -- which would be 120 percent of Bell's salary from the last franchise tag that he played under in 2017. This is the part I find fascinating because he may still not be free. If they can still tag him - he may get less offers at a lower price and he will really lose out. If he had signed and showed up there was no way the Steelers could tag him - the money would be prohibitive, but by not showing - there is a chance the Steelers could tag him at less or the same level as this year and force a trade to get something back. I still think he would of been better off signing and working out a trade than just sitting out. More in lines of how other leagues handle disgruntled players. If they show up - teams work with them more than the guys that just do not show up. Happens in football - is happening in Hockey with holdouts.
row_33 Posted November 22, 2018 Posted November 22, 2018 lots of experts are having to backtrack on the loopholes to be found in the CBA quite entertaining 1
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