The Facts: The first day NFL teams can begin using the transition tag on players is Tuesday, and the Steelers appear ready to use the tag on Bell with the intention of hopefully trading their former All-Pro running back. The Steelers have 15 days, or until March 5, to use the transition tag on Bell and all indications are coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Kevin Colbert still intend to do that.

Diehards Line: The transition tag, which is expected to have a value of approximately $9.5 million to $14.5 million for one season, pending arbitration, gives the Steelers a chance to match any offer Bell receives on the open market. According to Post-Gazette staffer Gerry Dulac, while the Steelers do not plan to match any offer and retain Bell, the idea of trading him is not as simple or risk-free as it might appear. Even if the Steelers find a team willing to make a trade, they would have to get Bell to sign the transition tag before anything can happen. That would require them getting cooperation from Bell and his agent, Adisa Bakari, and that is highly unlikely given what has transpired the past two seasons. If all else fails, though, the Steelers could rescind the transition tag and let Bell become a free agent. As long as they do that before Bell signs an offer sheet, they would at least be guaranteed getting something in return — a likely third-round compensatory pick in the 2020 draft. That would appear to be their safest, and best, possibility.