In the months leading up to the deadline for extensions for players on the franchise tag, little movement was made by the Pittsburgh Steelers toward a new extension with Pro Bowl running back Le'Veon Bell.

Following the deadline passing for a new deal to be worked out, Bell's agent stated that his client is likely entering his final year with the Steelers. In response to that, the 26-year-old took to Twitter to voice his stance on the situation, making it clear that he wants to finish his career as a Steelers and has his focus on putting together his best campaign in 2018.

In the several months since he had the franchise tag placed on him, Bell continues to say that he wants to remain with the Steelers for the rest of his career. The fact that both sides have struggled to work out a new deal has put that in jeopardy, as he's on pace to enter the free agent market next offseason where he will have plenty of suitors lined up to acquire one of the league's top running backs in the prime of his career.

Pittsburgh likely still has a strong desire to keep him in place as one of the centerpieces of their offense, but they have put up a strong stance on budging too much toward that asking price that Bell has put forth at $14 million annually. The front office finds themselves in a difficult position, but there is now a real possibility that this will be Bell's final year with the team.

The door is still open to Bell possibly returning, but the organization should begin to brace themselves for the departure of the All-Pro running back after 2018.