BoltBacker
Footballguy
I understand what you are saying, but yeah I kind of think CLE would backup the truck for a guy like Bell.
- imo the $ is an issue for most teams, but CLE isn't really like most teams. They have a ton of young players on rookie contracts and most importantly will be paying their starting QB below market value for the next several years.
- the reason they wouldn't just draft Barkley is the only way to be 100% sure they get Barkley is to draft him #1, then they run the risk of missing out on their top choice at QB. If you could have your #1 choice at QB, Chubb AND Bell I think you would prefer that to Barkley, the leftover QB, and a bunch of cap space they haven't been able to use effectively yet. Of course there would be some sort of compensation for Bell but this situation is much different than the olden days when Dickerson was dealt to the Colts. The fact PIT almost can't franchise Bell again in '19(without taking a cleaver to the rest of their roster) doesn't put them in a strong bargaining position. PIT is in a window with Ben/Brown but it's pretty obvious to everyone that the timer is running out with Bell as a part of the equation. Everyone hammers WAS for having a similar slow-motion car crash with Cousins leaving the roster for nothing more than a compensatory pick in the future.
- I don't know if PIT/CLE would consider making a deal being in the same division. But I do think any team willing to offer much for Bell will want an extension agreed upon at least in principle before the deal was made. There is only a short list of teams able to afford it. And only a portion of that list may be interested philosophically in investing that much $ in RB(let alone a RB with a ton of mileage and multiple drug offenses in his past). Maybe HOU/CHI/NYJ because they have cap space, potential RB need, and will have cheap QB contracts the next few years. Miller may not be long for HOU, Howard is a terrible fit in the new offense, and Crowell is a nice solid RB on a cap friendly deal but neither the player or the contract would keep them from adding an MVP candidate.
Just my thoughts.
