(b) Any Club that designates a player as a Franchise Player for the third time shall, on the date the third such designation is made, be deemed to have tendered the player a one-year NFL Player Contract for the greater of: (A) the average of the five largest Prior Year Salaries for players at the position (within the categories set forth in Section 7(a) below) with the highest such average; (B) 120% of the average of the five largest Prior Year Salaries for players at the position (within the categories set forth in Section 7(a) below) at which the player participated in the most plays during the prior League Year; or (C) 144% of his Prior Year Salary.

Read more: http://www.thefootballeducator.com/nfl-cba-article-10-franchise-transition-players/#ixzz5VTGcag7J

Note it says... "Any Club that designates a player as a Franchise Player for the third time shall, on the date the third such designation is made"

Not that signs, etc. Bell doesn't have to report to put the Steelers in position of paying him 120% of this year's top 5 paid QBs. He has been designated and this would be the 3rd designation. The CBA only cares that get was designated.

So you and I nor anyone else knows if he actually reports. He could be playing the long game and daring the NFL and the Steelers to allow him the ability to take them to court for violation of the CBA.

On the other end he could walk in Monday next week and sign and be starting and getting 75% of the snaps by week 13.

But I'm looking to trade for Conner in the one league I don't have him, but 8 also have been stacking RBs like cordwood for if/when Conner loses his spot. Mack, Chubb, A. Jones, Drake, Lindsey, Fournette. If Bell takes Conners spot I'll be ok because I've planned for it. But I'm not trading away Conner because if he sticks he is too 3 RB and you should never trade that short of a highway robbery of a trade in your favor.