Le’Veon Bell will have no shortage of potential suitors when
he hits free agency, and there’s been some chatter this week at the NFL
scouting combine in Indianapolis that the Baltimore Ravens conceivably could
emerge as a front-runner.
According to several media outlets despite the Ravens
indicating the team would likely not get involved in the Bell sweepstakes, the
buzz continues to build.
Everything Ravens
officials have said this offseason suggests they won’t be involved in the
bidding for Le’Veon Bell. But the buzz about it remains, as does team’s need to
find dynamic three-down back.
With Baltimore centering offense around a strong run
game, All-Pro running back makes sense on field but might not financially.
The case with Bell, of course, is money. The Pittsburgh
Steelers reportedly offered the then-disgruntled running back a five-year, $70
million contract last season, which did not pique Bell’s interest, and he
ultimately sat out the entire 2018 season.
Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert indicated this week
the team would no rule out signing Bell after he explores his
free-agency prospects, but odds of the running back returning to the fold are
slim to none given the
acrimonious holdout saga that played out.
The Ravens have the salary-cap space to sign Bell, but the
team has other needs as well. Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta is said
to want to keep a healthy salary-cap situation going forward. Signing Bell to a
deal that pays him $15 million-plus per season obviously would hinder that
goal.
As things stand, Gus Edwards is expected to be atop the
Ravens’ depth chart at running back after a solid 2018 season, especially after
restricted free agent Alex Collins was arrested Friday following a car accident
near the team’s facility. Such an incident makes it increasingly unlikely that
the Ravens will bring him back.
Interestingly, Baltimore offensive coordinator Greg Roman
indicated earlier this month that the team is on the lookout for an “elite” running
back. Bell would most certainly fit the bill.
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