The Facts: Steelers GM Kevin Colbert says he told Bell “We have a strong desire to keep you with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the remainder of your career.” Colbert added the franchise tag is always an option, but “our goal is to have something done on a long term basis.”

Diehards Line: Bell will be an unrestricted free agent if the Steelers don't place the franchise tag on him again. If they do place it on him, they will control him for one more season. They can also sign him to a long-term deal. Previous reporting indicated the Steelers and Bell have set an artificial deadline of February 20 for negotiating that long-term contract. Whatever the case, the negotiations this year seem to be well ahead of last year's pace. Bell played under the franchise tag last season. ... We'll obviously continue to follow this one closely.