Le'Veon Bell Wants to be a Colt

[Oldcolt]

He is a top back. Can be split out at wide receiver. Great pass blocker. If he is willing to sign for what top backs make why not? We have the money, he doesn’t cost draft capital and lets us focus on defense on draft day. The downside is his drug suspensions. Contract would have to have protections. I’m not sure you can say that this is not a Ballard move. We have not seen Ballard be a GM in any circumstances except full rebuild. The culture he wanted is already here If Bells salary concerns are reasonable (my guess is he is more concerned about guaranteed money so his financial future is secured) then I wouldn’t be the least surprised to see Bell sporting a horseshoe next year

And I of course would be the total homer I am and love the move if they did it

[FatDT]

Originally Posted by Oldcolt

He is a top back. Can be split out at wide receiver. Great pass blocker. If he is willing to sign for what top backs make why not? We have the money, he doesn’t cost draft capital and lets us focus on defense on draft day. The downside is his drug suspensions. Contract would have to have protections. I’m not sure you can say that this is not a Ballard move. We have not seen Ballard be a GM in any circumstances except full rebuild. The culture he wanted is already here If Bells salary concerns are reasonable (my guess is he is more concerned about guaranteed money so his financial future is secured) then I wouldn’t be the least surprised to see Bell sporting a horseshoe next year

And I of course would be the total homer I am and love the move if they did it

He was guaranteed $14 million this year and he turned it down. So whatever financial security he is after will probably be more than Ballard is willing to pay. I don’t think anyone will argue that Bell isn’t a great RB. And yeah we could pay hi what he wants and still have more cap room than anyone. But I don’t think Ballard will depart from the way he does business so drastically.

[Oldcolt]

Originally Posted by FatDT

He was guaranteed $14 million this year and he turned it down. So whatever financial security he is after will probably be more than Ballard is willing to pay. I don’t think anyone will argue that Bell isn’t a great RB. And yeah we could pay hi what he wants and still have more cap room than anyone. But I don’t think Ballard will depart from the way he does business so drastically.

Yes but that was ‘only’ (for us mortals that would be more than enough for a lifetime) 14 million for the rest of his life if he gets hurt. Say you guarantee that over 3 years. If he gets hurt the first year he has 42 million to live on not 14 million. The team (owned by a billionaire) takes the financial risk. He risks his body. I was just giving a hypothetical and numbers would have to work for both sides but I still think it could make sense for us. I generally would agree about Ballard not doing things this way but Bell is a special talent Circumstancces are different. It will be interesting to see Ballard’s move

[Dam8610]

Originally Posted by FatDT

He was guaranteed $14 million this year and he turned it down. So whatever financial security he is after will probably be more than Ballard is willing to pay. I don’t think anyone will argue that Bell isn’t a great RB. And yeah we could pay hi what he wants and still have more cap room than anyone. But I don’t think Ballard will depart from the way he does business so drastically.

He wants a long term deal with guarantees. If he truly is interested, frontload a deal with all guarantees in the first year and go from there. His talent would certainly be useful in Reich's offense.

[Chromeburn]

Bell wants 45 guaranteed and an average of about 17 per year. Steelers might transition tag him.

https://triblive.com/sports/steelers...n-bell-in-2019

https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2018/11...ee-agency-2019

Will Ballard do it? I don't know. He has pursued the top FA's before but would not give them exorbitant contracts. I sure he will at least explore the idea and talk with his agent, part of Ballard's job. We have space and no huge contracts coming up to dish out I believe. Should make a fun off-season.

[TheMugwump]

I'm still on the fence about it, but as has been mentioned multiple times by wiser than me, it's not MY money.

Also yes, Ballard hasn't thrown a ton of money at any top tier FAs...yet. And there is a ton of money available. But I doubt that cap space is just there so that Irsay can save money. I think Ballard has been keeping it available so that he has options if/when a home run hitter becomes available.

The convergence of his availability, the Colts' huge amount of cap space, Indy's need (somewhat debatable) of a #1 RB, and the team's seemingly dramatic upward trend might prove too tempting to all sides.

You know, I've talked myself into this being a win/win. I'm down.

[DragonTails]

I'd like to stick with the 3 backs we have now and upgrade all other parts of the team.

You don't need elite skill position players when you have dominant lines.

[Chromeburn]

Originally Posted by DragonTails

I'd like to stick with the 3 backs we have now and upgrade all other parts of the team.

You don't need elite skill position players when you have dominant lines.

Is it mutually exclusive though? I don't know if it is.

[Dam8610]

Originally Posted by Chromeburn

Bell wants 45 guaranteed and an average of about 17 per year. Steelers might transition tag him.

https://triblive.com/sports/steelers...n-bell-in-2019

https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2018/11...ee-agency-2019

Will Ballard do it? I don't know. He has pursued the top FA's before but would not give them exorbitant contracts. I sure he will at least explore the idea and talk with his agent, part of Ballard's job. We have space and no huge contracts coming up to dish out I believe. Should make a fun off-season.

That's actually not far off the numbers I was thinking, which were 5/80/40 guaranteed. The Colts have the cap space to pull it off if they want Bell.