Le'Veon Bell is optimistic about reaching an agreement on a new contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers that would allow him to report to camp on time.

"Yeah. You know regardless that's what I want to do," Bell said. "I don't want to have the replications of what happened last year. But if that came down to that, obviously I got to do what I got to do. Take my stand and protect myself. I don't want to have to do that. I want to go to camp and play for the Steelers long term."

Both Bell and the Steelers expressed a desire to reach a deal early in the offseason. The running back is set to earn $14.5 million under the franchise tag. He has until the July 16 deadline to finalize a long-term contract.

"Obviously, the people in the organization try to do what's best for them and I'm trying to do what's best for me," Bell added. "We're working on it. We're a lot closer than we were last year at this time. That's what I'm happy about. None of that matters if we don't get it done. Hopefully we'll try to get something done. That's what I'm looking forward to. I got confidence we'll get it done. I want to do it."