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Steelers' Le'Veon Bell expected to get franchise tag again

By The Sports Xchange
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) celebrates his reception for eight yards in the second quarter against the Tennessee Titans on November 16, 2017 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) celebrates his reception for eight yards in the second quarter against the Tennessee Titans on November 16, 2017 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo

The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to slap the franchise tag on running back Le'Veon Bell in advance of Tuesday's deadline, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.

Bell would receive $14.544 million in 2018 -- the second straight season he will play under the franchise tag should he sign the agreement. Bell signed the franchise contract in 2017 after sitting out offseason workouts.

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Bell, 26, was optimistic a long-term deal could be struck and the sides have until July 16 to do so. He said during Super Bowl week that contract talks "were all about the guarantees'' and hinted that it would require more than $30 million guaranteed to get it done.

Bell, the 48th overall pick in the 2013 draft, ran for 1,291 yards and a career-high nine touchdowns last season while catching a personal-best 85 passes for 655 yards and two scores. He was third in the NFL in rushing yards and 10th in receptions.

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