The Facts: Appearing on SiriusXM NFL Radio this morning, ESPN's Adam Schefter told listeners, "I think it's possible Bell sits out first half of the year if he doesn't get a long term deal done."

Diehards Line: Schefter added: "The goal at that point would be to hit 2019 free agency healthy, not rack up another 400 touches. ..." Bell and the Steelers are said to be closing in on a long-term deal in advance of today's 4 p.m. ET deadline to complete such an agreement. Short of that, Bell would play (or not, apparently) under the franchise tag, which would be pay him more than $14 million this year. As SiriusXM's Ross Tucker suggested, "This would probably be a smart move, by the way, to sit out the first 10 games but I'll believe a guy turns down $856K per week when I see it." We're with Tucker on that latter point. ... Whatever the case, we'll obviously be following up as the deadline draws near.