Steelers GM Kevin Colbert says team will not tag Le’Veon Bell

Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert spoke to the media on Wednesday. And at his press conference, he announced the team would not be using the franchise or transition tag on running back Le’Veon Bell.

The Steelers will not put any tag on Le’Veon Bell, according to GM Kevin Colbert. @TheAthleticPGH

— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) February 20, 2019

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN shared a snippet of what Colbert said about the situation and why the Steelers won’t use either tag on Bell.

Steelers are not tagging Le'Veon Bell, according to GM Kevin Colbert: "Le’Veon is still a great player. We can’t afford to use any other type of tags. Le’Veon will be an unrestricted free agent at the start of the new league year."

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) February 20, 2019

Without the tag, Bell becomes an unrestricted free agent and will be able to sign with any team beginning on March 13. By not using the transition tag, the Steelers lose the right of first refusal but do greatly improve their odds of landing a compensatory draft pick once Bell signs elsewhere.

In Bell’s absence, James Conner emerged as the team’s feature back. This gives Pittsburgh the freedom to finally divest itself of Bell and end what has been a tumultuous relationship over the past two seasons.