Since the Pittsburgh Steelers decided to place the franchise tag All-Pro running back Le'Veon Bell, there has been little movement toward a new extension this offseason. The cloud over the franchise has only grown larger with the July 16 deadline drawing nearer as well as training camp getting underway.

According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the 26-year-old is expected to be absent for the voluntary organized team workouts with a new deal still not in place.

Running back Le'Veon Bell does not plan to attend the Pittsburgh Steelers' organized team activities, which begin Tuesday, according to a source.

There had been the same hope to work out a new deal last offseason, but that never came to fruition as it led to Bell holding up until the week before the start of the regular season when he officially signed the franchise tag. This time around, he has voiced that he could threaten to miss games or possibly retire if a long-term deal is not put in place. There has been talk about that in the last few months, but it's something that has lingered on.

What has been most puzzling about the two sides being unable to work out a long-term extension is that Bell has proven to be a talent and asset that Steelers have built much of their offense around. In fact, he has proven to be arguably the best running back in the league over the last few seasons

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He is coming off yet another highly productive campaign he finished third in the league with 1,291 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns and a career-best 85 catches for 655 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns. His 85 receptions are the most by a running back in a single season in team history. Meanwhile, his 1,946 total scrimmage yards were second in the NFL and the third most in a single season in franchise history.

The longer this situation lingers on around the franchise, the more reminiscent it could become to what unfolded last year. There is still just under two months to get a new deal worked out, but it at least raises questions about whether something can get done.