Right now, the Steelers seem content in moving forward with second-year running back James Conner, who rushed for 135 yards with two touchdowns during Sunday's tie-ending game against the Cleveland Browns. However, what if two-thirds into the season, Pittsburgh's 2018 campaign isn't unfolding as it hoped? Does Bell then have more value finishing out a lost season for the Steelers or is he worth more as a tradable commodity?
Will Cain of ESPN Radio's "The Will Cain Show" asked that question this week. He identified two teams primed to win now where a trade makes sense — the San Francisco 49ers and the Green Bay Packers.
It is important to note that Cain believed Green Bay going all in for Bell made the most sense, but he had the following to say about a potential Bell-to-49ers scenario.
"The San Francisco 49ers have $60 million in cap space next year," Cain explained. "They wouldn't be able to negotiate an extension until the new league [year] starts. But they have a quarterback in Jimmy Garoppolo that's in a different class than Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold. They have a guy that they're not on a two-, three-, five-year plan with Jimmy Garoppolo. This is a guy who's older and ready by all accounts to start winning now. And he's also a guy completely bereft of offensive weapons.
"The offensive line (in) San Francisco is not good, but it's not New York Jets bad. And right now, he's running out Alfred Morris and Matt Breida behind Jimmy Garoppolo. The idea of Le'Veon Bell in San Francisco makes sense to me. How much would that help to win now over the next year to two years with Jimmy Garoppolo?"
The 49ers spent big in March to acquire former Minnesota Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon. He was placed on season-ending injured reserve on September 3 with a torn ACL, leaving San Francisco with Alfred Morris and Matt Breida carrying the load at running back. The two combined for 84 yards against the Vikings on Sunday in the 49ers' 24-16 loss.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers Notebook: Inside the frantic final play against the Bears; Former Bear Jake Tonges has a night to remember; What makes Kyle Shanahan a great playcaller?
Sunday night's 42-38 win over the Chicago Bears was one to remember for the San Francisco 49ers, who now stand at 12-4 with one more win needed to secure home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both offenses putting up big... -
49ers playoff picture: Where San Francisco stands after win over Colts
The San Francisco 49ers extended their winning streak to five games with a 48-27 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Monday night, building momentum as they head into the postseason. San Francisco had already clinched a playoff berth Sunday when the Pittsburgh Steelers... -
49ers playoff picture: Where San Francisco stands heading into Week 18
The San Francisco 49ers boosted their chances of claiming the NFC West title and securing home-field advantage in the NFL playoffs with Sunday night's 42-38 win over the Chicago Bears at Levi's Stadium. A victory in Week 18 against the Seattle Seahawks would catapult San... -
49ers draft watch: College Football Playoff prospects who could shape San Francisco's future
Now that we know the San Francisco 49ers are in the playoffs, The Faithful are assured of at least two more games. We will tune in wearing our game gear at least into the second week of January. The other football being played at that time, though, is the College Football...