Feb 26, 2017 5 min read

PITTSBURGH – Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert is known as a patient man, one who never makes a move unless his hand is forced.

That time is coming soon with star running back Le’Veon Bell.

The Steelers have until Wednesday at 4 p.m. to decide whether they wish to use the franchise or transition tag on Bell, who will become an unrestricted free agent March 9.

Colbert said recently the team would like to sign Bell, who led the AFC in yards from scrimmage last season despite playing in 12 games, to a long-term contract. But he also did not rule out placing the tag on Bell, a 2013 second-round draft pick.

“The tag is always an option. That is something that we will use if we feel it’s necessary,” Colbert said. “We have until March 1 to make that decision. So, again, this thing is very fluid. It changes, really, daily, once you start into talks with players, and you see how it’s all going to fit. But we know that is an option. Even if we were to use the tag on Le’Veon, we would certainly want to do something long-term and have Le’Veon be a Steeler for life.”

The Steelers do have some tagging options.

If they choose to tag Bell, who turned 25 Feb. 18, with an exclusive rights franchise tag, he would receive a one-year tender that is no less than the average salary of the top five players at his position in the current year or 120 percent of the player’s previous salary, depending on which is greater. That would mean Bell would make upwards of $12 million in 2017 – if a long-term contract is not worked out – but would not be eligible to negotiate with any other teams.

The Steelers also could use the nonexclusive franchise tag on Bell, which is more commonly used. It would be a one-year tender that is no less than the average salary of the top five players at his position over the past five years or 120 percent of his previous salary. Bell would still be eligible to negotiate with other teams, but the Steelers retain the right to match any offer he receives or get two first-round draft picks as compensation from any team that signs him.

The Steelers also could use the transition tag on Bell, but it would do so with some added danger of losing him.

The transition tag guarantees the player the average of the top 10 salaries at his position while also guaranteeing his original team the right to match any free agent offer sheet he might receive. But if the Steelers decline to match the deal, they would receive nothing in return. The transition tag for running backs is projected at around $10 million this year.

If the Steelers place the franchise tag on Bell, they would have until July 15 to work out a long-term deal. If they use the transition tag, that final negotiating date would be July 22. If no deal is reached, Bell would play for the salary of his tag offer but be a free agent at the conclusion of the 2017 season.

Compounding the issue for the Steelers is that the league hasn’t put forth final numbers yet on what its salary cap will be for 2017, or exactly what the salaries will be for players who are tagged.

But, Pittsburgh currently has total cap liabilities of just over $142 million for the top 51 players on its roster. The salary cap is expected to be set at somewhere between $165 and $175 million.

“I think we’re in a different world,” said Colbert. “Usually, we’re always really close to the cap. I think we’re in a situation where we can – if we desire, we don’t have to make any moves to get in compliance with the cap.”

The Steelers have been negotiating with star receiver Antonio Brown, who has one year remaining on his contract, on an extension and are closing in on that deal.

And it has signed some other potential free agents, including long snapper Greg Warren and linebacker Steven Johnson, to one-year deals.

But getting something done with Bell is a priority, despite the fact the team has other contributors, such as inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons, outside linebacker James Harrison and backup quarterback Landry Jones, that it would also like to return.

“We have talked to pretty much every potential free agent that we have had,” Colbert said. “I would be shocked if they all didn’t want to stay. They all want to test the market and see what else is out there. And that’s part of being a professional football player and having free agency. What we always ask the agent is, ‘Keep us informed. If you are getting an offer or getting interest, let us know. We will see if we can manage or meet your expectations.'”

The NFL Draft Combine will begin Wednesday in Indianapolis. … Bell has reportedly decided against having surgery to repair a sports hernia injury he suffered in the playoffs that knocked him out in the first quarter of the team’s loss at New England in the AFC Championship.