Packers should make a trade offer for Le’Veon Bell
The Green Bay Packers should offer a trade for Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell.
The 2018 NFL season has been dramatically exciting after merely two weeks of pads colliding on the gridiron. From the explosive starts brought to us by Ryan Fitzpatrick and Patrick Mahomes, to the halftime retirement of Vontae Davis. While the excitement train continues to chug along, one team has dealt with a catastrophic disaster in their locker room.
The Pittsburgh Steelers can’t seem to get their best offensive players to click, and it’s costing them wins. This week has a frustrated Antonio Brown adding more damage by not showing up for practice.
While Brown’s agent has addressed that it was due to family matters, there is no secret that the star wide receiver has been vocal about how many times he’s been targeted so far this season. Tension lingers in Pittsburgh as a goose egg still sits in the win column, which poses the question of who is still loyal to the team?
Arguably the issue that sparked the initial tension is the holdout between Pittsburgh and Le’Veon Bell.
Fans and teammates have been patiently waiting for Bell to sign his franchise tag since the preseason. The 26-year-old running back did not report to OTAs or participate in any preseason games to preserve and condition his body for a bigger workload in the 2018 season.
While the Steelers have tried placing a franchise tag valued at $14.5 million, Bell wants more from a substantial contract.
If Bell were to receive the contract he asks for, it would make him the highest paid running back in the league. The snowball effect would cause the running back market to reset itself at a higher value, which makes Bell look like a Robin Hood figure.
The past two weeks Bell has looked more like a martyr watching the Steelers struggle without him. The holdout may have been the tinder inside the Steelers’ organization, but Bell has comfortably watched as the flames spread.
Pittsburgh has made it very clear that they have no intention to give Bell the contract he’s asking for. They have put their foot down but taking No. 26 off their active roster for Week 3. The holdout isn’t helping either party involved, and each passing week seems to burn one additional bridge from a conclusion.
Bell is feeling the pressure by now. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN writes that Bell is losing money every passing week he doesn’t sign a franchise tag with the Steelers:
"“Bell is set to miss another $852,941 check on that $14.5 million franchise tag, which would bring his maximum 2018 earnings to $11.9 million — if he signs the tag in Week 4.”"
The relationship between Bell and the Steelers has a strong chance of being tarnished forever. Chances are both sides should cut their losses and suggest for Bell to be traded. Pittsburgh will be able to get value out of their star running back, and Bell can get a fresh start somewhere else.
Green Bay sounds like a great place for a new beginning. Just ask players such as Muhammad Wilkerson or Marcedes Lewis on getting their new start with the Packers.
There are a number of factors that the Packers organization can use to persuade a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers. They have the right hand to play to keep all parties satisfied. Some of those cards include:
- Packers have enough money in their salary cap to pay Le’Veon Bell the contract he wants
- Green Bay has two first-round picks that can entice the Steelers decision
- Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are playoff contenders
- The cold weather is comparable to Pittsburgh
- Wisconsin’s cuisine is deliciously cheesy
Bell would benefit Green Bay immensely with this year’s incredibly competitive season. The Packers have not had a complete every-down back since Ahman Green. There still has not been a definitive decision on who the lead back in Green Bay is at the moment between Jamaal Williams, Ty Montgomery and Aaron Jones. Signing Bell would solve that problem instantly.
Not only is Bell one of the best running backs in the NFL, but his presence will take the pressure off Aaron Rodgers as he continues to play with his knee injury. Bell knows the value of his impact on a team, which is why he wants a large contract extension to begin with.
Think about the potential of what the roster could look like in January if Bell signs with the Packers. The offense would involve Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams, Randall Cobb, Geronimo Allison, Jimmy Graham and Le’Veon Bell.
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That has high-octane written all over it. The Packers have a great offense as it stands, but signing Bell to the team is the stepping stone that can put them as the best offense in the National Football League.