Le'Veon Bell Threatens to Sit Out 2018 Season After Steelers Use Franchise Tag

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell reiterated he hasn't decided whether to play the 2018 NFL season under the franchise tag.    

Bell told Andrew Unterberger of Billboard he's keeping all options on the table ahead of the July 16 deadline for teams to reach long-term contract extensions with franchise players.

"But obviously, when the end of July comes, wherever we're at...if I sign, everybody'll be happy, but if not, I guess I gotta play it by ear," he said. "If I'll be out till Week 1, if I'll be out till Week 10, or if I'm gonna be out there at all. It depends on how I feel at that time and moment."

Pittsburgh announced it used the tag on Bell for the second straight year Tuesday.

The 26-year-old Michigan State product told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com he remains hopeful of working out an extension and explained that his comments in January about retirement weren't a bluff.

"We're not coming to a number we both agree on—they are too low, or I guess they feel I'm too high," Bell said. "I'm playing for strictly my value to the team. That's what I'm asking. I don't think I should settle for anything less than what I'm valued at."

He added: "I just have to decide if I'm going to play when the time comes."

Bell took a similar stance last year. He skipped the Steelers' offseason program, training camp and the preseason after the front office's first use of the tag. He eventually signed the one-year contract on Sept. 4, six days before the team's Week 1 game against the Cleveland Browns.

This year's franchise tender is worth $14.5 million, per Spotrac. It still doesn't provide him with the long-term commitment he's sought in negotiations with Pittsburgh, though.

Bell said during the interview with Unterberger he's "definitely hoping for something to get done," but for now, he's focused on the "two or three" music albums he wants to drop during the offseason.