The Pittsburgh Steelers are putting contract talks with star running back Le’Veon Bell temporarily on hold to focus on free agency and the draft, according to a report from ESPN.

The ESPN report states Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert will eventually reopen talks with Bell, who the team placed the franchise tag on earlier this off-season, before the July 16 deadline to agree to a long-term deal.

"We're not intentionally ignoring that. More urgent business needs to get taken care of," Colbert said, via ESPN. "We will reassess where that is. He'll reassess where his interests are as well. I anticipate us continuing that process once we get through the free agency period and maybe even through the draft. The draft can change things on both sides."

This is the second straight off-season the Steelers have placed the franchise tag on Bell. The 26-year-old finished last season with 321 rushes for 1,291 yards and nine touchdowns, and added another 655 yards and two touchdowns receiving.