The Pittsburgh Steelers and Le'Veon Bell both made late pushes leading to Tuesday's deadline.

The Steelers were told that if they were willing to not use their franchise or transition tag on Bell after this season, he would consider reporting to the team.

Pittsburgh declined Bell's request, which sets up a battle between the NFL's management council and the NFL Players Association in a potentially precedent-setting case over Bell's future.

The management council believes the Steelers will be able to use a $9.5 million transition tag on Bell this offseason that would give Pittsburgh the chance to match any offer sheet he signs with a rival team.

The NFLPA believes that the transition tag must be $14.54 million.