The Pittsburgh Steelers, for the second straight offseason, are in the midst of dealing with yet another contract situation pertaining to star running back Le'Veon Bell after deciding to place the franchise tag him for the second time in as many years.

It has become deja vu for the Steelers with the lack of progress made toward working out a new extension with Bell that has reached a halt with both sides being far apart from an agreeable salary.

According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the 26-year-old is looking to garner a contract with a salary that pushes north of $14.5 million per year. If failed to be met by Pittsburgh, he will play out on the franchise tag.

“Bell told ESPN he won't accept an extension worth less than $14.5 million per year, his franchise tag number for 2018. If the sides fail to reach a deal, Bell will play out a one-year deal at that number.”

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Things have reached a tipping point with Bel making it clear by drawing a line in the sand for how much he is looking to get on his next contract. This current number is well above the rest of the league with Atlanta Falcons' Devonta Freeman holding the second-highest salary at $8.2 million while Buffalo Bills' LeSean McCoy follows that up with $8 million for the 2018 season.

Bell has been quite firm with the asking price that did at one point see him demand being paid the same salary that All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown is receiving next season at a league-best $17 million. The notable drop in his contract demand could lead to some much-needed leeway to something possibly getting worked out in the coming weeks.

With the start of the 2018 season quickly approaching, things could ramp up in the negotiation process that should give a defined picture of Bell's long-term future with the franchise.