Steelers are reportedly listening to trade offers for Le'Veon Bell
The Steelers reportedly are listening to trade requests for disgruntled running back Le’Veon Bell, according to ESPN. But a source told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette the Steelers have not received any phone calls from the other 31 NFL teams about Bell to date.
Bell is not under contract with the Steelers, but they control his rights for the remainder of the season after they placed the franchise tag on him. Bell was expected to report to the Steelers before their first game and play for $14.5 million this season.
Bell refused to report and is losing almost $853,000 per week for every game he misses this season. So far, Bell has lost $2.58 million by skipping the first three games.
The Oakland Raiders traded away star linebacker Khalil Mack before the start of the season because he was holding out for more money. The Raiders received two first-round draft picks in return for Mack after the Bears gave Mack a contract extension.
But the Steelers would not get anything close to that in return because Bell cannot work out a long-term deal with another team this season. The team that accepts Bell in a trade could only add more money to the franchise tender to entice him to come, not more years.
The Steelers will receive a third-round compensatory pick in 2020 if Bell finishes the season as a member of the Steelers. Any trade offer likely would have to equal or better than that.
Fuck it. Trade him. Defense is trash and we need picks and money to improve it. Jets or Raiders will come calling.