The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to have a looming contract situation with star running back Le'Veon Bell, who has been designated with the franchise tag for the second year. It has led to some unfruitful extension talks that have made little progress toward a solution.

The latest update is that Bell is fixated on his asking price of at least $14 million per season, which has put the pressure on the Steelers to meet that number. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh won't offer that amount.

Jim: What is the status of Bell's contract? Is Bell waiting for a new offer from the club having rejected their last one? Do you think we will or should up our offer?
Gerry Dulac: He's not getting a new offer if he wants at least $14 million a year. He's not even getting that.

The roughly $14.5 million franchise tag that has been designated on Bell is a salary that is well above the rest of the league at the position. In fact, it is nearly double that of the next highest total from Atlanta Falcons Pro Bowler Devonta Freeman, who is making $8.2 million in 2018.

Bell backed off from the $17 million a year he was asking for to match All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown's current salary, but it is still an extremely high asking price. This alone has  made it difficult for any substantial progress to occur toward a new deal before the July 16 deadline for extensions for players on the franchise tag.

There is still plenty of time before that deadline, but it seems working toward a new contract is going to be quite difficult. Time will tell if both sides can work something to keep Bell in Pittsburgh for the long haul.