The Steelers have until Wednesday to use their franchise tag, and that almost surely will go to Le’Veon Bell.
Since Kevin Colbert said last week that the team has been negotiating seriously with only Antonio Brown, we have to assume they are not close to agreeing with Bell on a multi-year contract. Bell would become an unrestricted free agent March 9 if he does not receive the franchise tag.
The Steelers can tag Bell and then sign him to a long-term deal, but they may be better off just giving him the franchise tag and see what happens next season.