The Steelers and Le'Veon Bell both made closing pushes on deadline day last Tuesday to iron out a deal that would have brought him back to Pittsburgh this season, but neither side could finalize an agreement, league sources tell ESPN.
The Steelers were told that if they were willing to not use their franchise or transition tag on Bell after this season, he would consider reporting to the team, according to sources. But the Steelers declined Bell's request because they felt the tag was too important, so they ultimately were unwilling to give him that promise.