He has to play in 6 games or the Steelers can Franchise him for the exact same amount next year. If he's active for 6 games then the value of the franchise tag jumps a ton and isn't realistic.
He HAS to sign the tag by week 11 or he has to sit out all year,
that's the rule of the franchise tag. There would be 7 games left, so if he wasn't exempt, then he could play 6 games then skip the last game and playoffs.
BUT, the Steelers are expected to put him on the exempt list for 2 weeks. He does not get credit for those weeks or paid (pending negotiations) so if he shows up week 11, and is exempt for 2 weeks, then he might only play 5 games and not gain a year and be Franchised again for the same amount. Not sure what happens if he plays 5 reg and 1 playoff or something.
Everyone thinks he could show up this week because the trade deadline will pass and then even if he's exempt 2 weeks he'll still get enough games to be free of the tag next year.
It's a complex situation made moreso because no one has a clue what to expect from Leveon, we're in uncharted territory here. My guess is that he shows up this week or next and is put on the exempt list, he can fight it but his only recourse is to sit out the whole year. With how Conner is playing, I doubt the Steelers would tag Leveon again next year, but if Conner gets some crazy injury you never know, so sitting out the entire year is more risky to Leveon than showing up soon. Unless he's ok with sitting 2 years.
TLDR: His options are:
- Report now.
- Report after trade deadline.
- Report any time before Franchise Deadline.
- Don't report.
Options 3 and 4 leave open the possibility of being tagged again next year if put on the exempt list for 2 games.