The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to use the franchise tag on running back Le’Veon Bell for a second consecutive year, according to a report by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

The tag would earn the 26-year-old $14.544 million. The team and player would have until July 16 to work out a long-term deal.

Bell told ESPN in January that he would sit out or even retire if the Steelers used the franchise tag on him once again.

"I hope it doesn't come to that, but I would definitely consider it," Bell said to ESPN. "It will eventually come down to me playing on the tag or not."

"They tag me again, it will be me (saying), 'OK, do I want to play on the tag or do I not want to play on the tag?' That's what it comes down to. If I was a free agent and they let me go, be a free agent, then, yeah, I'm going to go explore free agency, test the market." 

Bell missed the entire preseason in 2017 before signing the franchise tag that earned him $12.1 million for the season.

He appeared in 15 games last season for the Steelers and rushed for 1,291 yards and nine touchdowns.