The three-time Pro-Bowl running back is seeking a long-term contract with Pittsburgh, but said if the Steelers opt to use the franchise tag on him for a consecutive season, the 25-year-old will think about sitting out or even retiring.
“I hope it doesn’t come to that, but I would definitely consider it,” Bell told ESPN on Thursday as the Steelers prepare to face the Jacksonville Jaguars in the playoffs on Sunday.
Last year, Bell turned down a contract estimated to be worth $30million in the first two years because he felt the Steelers were not giving him his worth.
As a result, Bell was tagged in 2017 for $12.1m. He said he simply wants to be valued by the franchise and given a contract worth his talent.
“Just get the numbers straight, exactly where we want them. I’m not going to settle for anything,” Bell said. “I know what I do and what I bring to the table. I’m not going out here getting the ball 400 times if I’m not getting what I feel I’m valued at.”
If Bell is tagged again, his salary next season is projected to go up to roughly $14.5m.
Bell reiterated he does not care about the money aspect of playing football and said he would be comfortable leaving the sport if he felt he was getting a raw deal.
“I don’t necessarily care about the money aspect of it. I just want to be valued where I’m at,” Bell said. “If I am playing this game, I want to set standards for all the other running backs behind me, like Todd Gurley and Ezekiel Elliott, Melvin Gordon, guys like that. I’m a guy they can kind of look at. I feel I can do that. I’m in a position where I can do that, and I’m going to do it.”
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