[PGR88]

I follow NFL much less than before, so don’t even know what Bell wanted from the Steelers.

Being “franchise” tagged at least guaranteed him the salary of the average of top 5 RB’s in the league, or 120% of his previous year salary, whichever his greater. Not a bad return for not having a contract for 1 year.

Now he has nothing. The NFL is not a running back league either, so the Steelers will probably just cut him later, to make sure he doesn’t play for another team this year.

He gambled big and lost big. I wonder whose advice he was listening to?

[Alberta's Child]

I can understand why a professional athlete would refuse to report to training camp without a contract (for the simple protection in case of an injury) ... but when you HAVE a contract and refuse to report, you have raised a giant red flag with every other potential employer in the league.

Having said that, I would also add that I would treat NFL players a bit differently. It's the only major sports league that doesn't guarantee its player contracts. So from the player's perspective, a multi-year contract isn't really worth the paper it's printed on. Everything is just a one-year deal, which explains why all these star players now insist on getting huge signing bonuses as part of their deals.

[ScottfromNJ]

“so the Steelers will probably just cut him later, to make sure he doesn’t play for another team this year.”

They won’t cut him, they’ll get a 3rd round comp pick when he departs in free agency. If they cut him they’ll lose the pick.

[Buckeye McFrog]

He gambled big and lost big. I wonder whose advice he was listening to?

His entourage of wannabe rappers and yes-men. Certainly not his agent.