It seems that the Pittsburgh Steelers are now also throwing their hat in the ring for the upcoming LeBron James sweepstakes. Jokingly, Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster said on Twitter that the reason his team is not giving running back Le’Veon Bell the contract that he has long been wishing for is that Pittsburgh is saving some cap space for the Cleveland Cavaliers' superstar.

It has not been a secret that Le’Veon Bell is not happy with the Steelers’ resistance to giving him a long-term contract. The team has recently exercised its franchise tag option on Bell for the second year in a row, which is something that Bell, of course, did not like. In fact, he has even warned that he is ready to sit out several weeks of the 2018 season before considering signing his newest franchise tag, according to Bell himself in an interview with Billboard.com.

Yeah, the franchise tag deadline is on Tuesday, and I don’t think we’re gonna have a deal done by Tuesday. So I’m probably gonna end up getting tagged. And then, we’ll still try to work out a long-term deal.

But obviously, when the end of July comes, wherever we’re at… if I sign, everybody’ll be happy, but if not, I guess I gotta play it by ear. If I’ll be out till Week One, if I’ll be out till Week Ten, or if I’m gonna be out there at all. It depends on how I feel at that time and moment.

Article Continues Below
More Pittsburgh Steelers News
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) warms up on the field prior to the game against the New York Giants at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
NFL rumors: Falcons insider picks Browns Kirk Cousins trade idea over SteelersZachary Weinberger ·
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Donald Parham Jr. (89) during minicamp at the Hoag Performance Center.
Steelers’ Donald Parham Jr. suffers season-ending injury in practiceBenedetto Vitale ·
Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith (9) reacts after a touchdown reception during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Steelers rumors: Pittsburgh renews Jonnu Smith trade talks with DolphinsBenedetto Vitale ·
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis (0) before the game against the Green Bay Packers at EverBank Stadium.
Steelers rumors: Pittsburgh hosting ex-Bills star with Jonnu Smith trade not expectedBen Strauss ·
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) reacts on the field against the New York Giants during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium.
Steelers rumors: TJ Watt gets intriguing timeline amid contract extension sagaPreston Byers ·
Las Vegas Raiders guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) enters the field before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Raiders’ Jackson Powers-Johnson eyeing revenge on Cam HeywardJosh Davis ·

Bell’s latest franchise tag offer is hard to walk away from, though, largely because it’s worth $14.5 million. That’s a huge sum, but Bell wants a deal that goes beyond 2018.

Le'Veon bell, Steelers
Getty Images

Having Bell around helps JuJu Smith-Schuster and the Steelers’ passing game get lesser attention. Le’Veon Bell finished 2017 with 860 rushing yards and eight touchdowns to go with 45 receptions and 399 receiving yards.

The deadline for Bell is on Tuesday.