When everything is all said and done, the good news is that the Texans will have no problem signing Hopkins to a new contract next year. But Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said in February that signing the receiver to a long-term contract would be a “priority” in the offseason.
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Despite Brown’s postseason antics, the Steelers could ill-afford to let one of the league’s best players depart Pittsburgh. He has also been remarkably resilient, starting all but three games the past four years.
The NFL is wrapping up a big deal, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are committing some serious coin.
Brown agreed to a five-year contract with the Steelers on Monday evening. Despite missing the first three games of the 2016 because of a suspension, Bell finished fifth in the league with 1,268 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.
Earlier on Monday, the team designated running Le’Veon Bell its exclusive franchise player, guaranteeing that he’d play the 2017 season in Pittsburgh.
Brown was obviously happy with the agreement, tweeting out “Steelers for life”, after the deal was announced.
Bell has made two Pro Bowls, one All-Pro team and had 2,215 yards from scrimmage in 2014.
With 106 receptions last season (for 1,284 yards), Brown led his conference for a fourth straight year, an unprecedented accomplishment. Bell is set for a monster pay day in the near future, but will reportedly make at least $12 million next season if he remains under the tag. With Brown and Bell locked down and – we assume – Ben Roethlisberger returning in 2017, the Steelers should be Super Bowl contenders.
Taken with a sixth round draft selection out of Central Michigan in the 2010 NFL Draft, Brown spent his first season on the sideline a majority of the time, before breaking out as an All-Pro returner in 2011.
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If/when Peterson is let go from the Vikings, making Bell the highest paid running back in the National Football League might be an easier pill to swallow.
