The Pittsburgh Steelers will likely attempt to use the transition tag on running back Le'Veon Bell this offseason, according to Gerry Dulac of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
This would give the Steelers the ability to match any offer Bell receives on the free-agent market, but the more likely scenario would be that Pittsburgh would try to use the tag and then trade the disgruntled halfback.
However, that is easier said than done.
First of all, the Steelers would have to get Bell to agree to the transition tag, which might be a tall order given the current relationship between Bell and Pittsburgh's front office. Remember: Bell held out the entire 2018 NFL season due to a contract dispute with the team, and in 2017, he held out through Week 1.
In addition, the collective bargaining agreement states that the Steelers cannot trade Bell to a team that submits an offer sheet for at least one year unless Bell agrees to the deal.
So, that represents just another hoop that Pittsburgh has to jump through.
Also, if Bell receives an offer sheet and the Steelers choose not to match it, they would receive nothing in return. However, if they simply let him walk via free agency and another team signs him, Pittsburgh would receive a compensatory draft pick.
Obviously, the whole situation is very complicated, but one thing we do know is that Bell's days with the Steelers appear to be over regardless of how these circumstances unfold over the next month.
Bell has made three Pro Bowls since entering the league in 2013.
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