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Steelers, Bell fail to reach long-term deal by deadline

FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 22: Le'Veon Bell #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts prior to the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 22, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

  • Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, RB Le’Veon Bell and the Pittsburgh Steelers were unable to reach a long-term deal before the 4 p.m. ET Monday deadline for franchise-tagged players. Bell will play out 2017 on a one-year guaranteed deal.
  • Bell has consistently been one of the most elusive running backs since entering the league in 2013, finishing in the top 10 in elusive rating in three of his four seasons.
  • For someone who plays so many snaps, it probably would have been in Bell’s best interest to lock up a long-term deal. Among running backs, Bell’s 781 snaps played in 2016 were the third-most, behind David Johnson (964) and DeMarco Murray (862), despite missing the first four games of the season.
  • Out of 42 running backs who had at least 100 rushing attempts in 2016, Bell’s 3.01 yards after contact per attempt ranked seventh.

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