Ike Taylor: Contract dispute 'a good and bad situation' for Bell
Le'Veon Bell's ongoing contract dispute with the Pittsburgh Steelers could come with both positives and negatives for the upcoming campaign, according to former teammate Ike Taylor.
"This is a good and bad situation for Le'Veon," Taylor said Monday, according to CBS Sports' Ryan Wilson. "Good meaning everything is guaranteed with his franchise tag. Bad meaning you don't know if you're going to be a Pittsburgh Steeler for life, something I know Le'Veon wants to do. And I know the Rooneys also want to work that deal out with Le'Veon."
Related - Jerome Bettis: Steelers, Bell aren't as good without each other
The Steelers applied the franchise tag to Bell this offseason for a second consecutive year. The one-year deal will pay him $14.544 million, according to Over The Cap.
The two sides have until July 16 to come to terms on a multi-year contract.
Taylor isn't worried about Bell skipping team workouts, something the running back did until Sept. 1, 2017 - just nine days before the season opener - before accepting the one-year tender. Bell went on to finish the regular season third in the NFL with 1,291 rushing yards.
"On the other hand, I'm preserving my body ... That's how I'm looking at it," said Taylor. "I'm missing training camp, you know I'm staying in shape, you know my physique, you know my body of work when I get on the field. That's they way I'm looking at Le'Veon."
Related - Bell confident he'll reach deal with Steelers: 'We're working on it'
Bell and Taylor spent two seasons together with the Steelers before the veteran cornerback retired at the conclusion of the 2014 campaign.