LATROBE, Pa. -- The Pittsburgh Steelers believed they were close to securing a long-term contract with Le'Veon Bell as the franchise-tag deadline ran down before the star running back declined the team's offer, sources told ESPN.
Bell's agent, Adisa Bakari, said he and client never had any agreement with Steelers. "All stories to contrary are false," Bakari told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Friday that Bell -- who skipped training camp and hasn't signed his $12.1 million franchise tender -- nixed an offer "at the last minute" despite the team and agent agreeing to contract terms paying more than $12 million annually over five years.