Steelers want to extend Roethlisberger, sign Bell long term

The Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to keep the "Killer B's" together for a while longer.

Team president Art Rooney II told reporters Wednesday that the Steelers will try to extend quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's contract and sign star running back Le'Veon Bell to a new long-term deal this offseason, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Instead of once again flirting with retirement following the 2017 season, Roethlisberger ensured he would be back for at least one more year. The 35-year-old has two years remaining on his deal, and Rooney said the Steelers aren't in a rush to get a new deal done.

Bell played the 2017 season under the franchise tag. Rooney is leaving the door open to use the franchise tag on his star rusher again, though he said the Steelers have the "next several weeks" to reach an agreement with the first-team All-Pro running back. They have until March 6 to decide whether they need the franchise tag, which would cost approximately $14.5 million for 2018.

There has been some doubt over whether the Steelers want to invest long term in Bell after the 25-year-old skipped training camp last summer in hopes of a new deal and then reportedly missed most of the team's walkthrough before losing to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the playoffs. Bell has also said he would consider sitting out the season or retiring if the Steelers placed the franchise tag on him again.

Along with making it clear he wants to keep his trio of offensive stars together, Rooney squashed any notion the team is looking to get rid of Mike Tomlin, as he considers the head coach to have one of the best track records in the league.