Pittsburgh Steelers plan to use franchise tag on Le'Veon Bell

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Running back Le'Veon Bell didn't even need a full season to proclaim his importance to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He did it again by setting a franchise playoff record with 167 rushing yards and two touchdowns Sunday in the Steelers' win against the Miami Dolphins.

Bell, a free agent this offseason, will be franchise tagged by the Steelers, according to NFL.com. The franchise tag for running backs will be worth about $12 million this offseason.

The All-Pro had 1,268 yards and seven touchdowns on 261 carries in 2016. He also had 75 receptions this season for 616 yards and two touchdowns.

"Obviously, I want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler so obviously we're going to try to do everything it takes to make that happen," Bell told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in December.

Bell and Dallas Cowboys rookie Ezekiel Elliott have led their teams into the playoffs with MVP-level performances all season long.

"Le'Veon has been on such a tear because people are really trying to make us one-dimensional," Steelers quarterback Roethlisberger told ESPN. "They are trying to take away the big play. From what we see on film and stuff, teams try to bleed slow, you know, and give us the run, not trying to give up the pass play and so we have been able to utilize Le'Veon so much."

The Steelers face the Kansas City Chiefs at 1:05 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15 in the Divisional Round of the AFC playoffs.