Steelers GM Kevin Colbert comments on Le’Veon Bell franchise tender

The focus surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers wasn’t necessarily the team preparing for training camp on July 27th, but whether the team would be able to come to terms with All-Pro running back Le’Veon Bell before the Monday 4 p.m. ET deadline.

The deadline came and went without a deal, and Bell will now be forced to sign his franchise tag tender and play 2017 on a one-year, $12 million dollar contract. However, despite the failure to get a deal done doesn’t mean the Steelers still don’t want to sign Bell long-term.

Check out the statement from Kevin Colbert regarding the negotiations:

“Unfortunately, we were unable to agree to terms on a long-term contract with Le’Veon Bell prior to today’s [Monday] deadline,” said General Manager Kevin Colbert 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.”

The next question which is now whether or not Bell will report to training camp on time, or hold out for fear of injury before the regular season.

Stay tuned to BTSC for the latest on these news, as well as the team reporting to training camp July 27th.