I like to compare this to when BP traded Marshall Faulk to the Rams.

I don't believe that Bell has Faulk type talent. Faulk was the type of RB that could transform a franchise. Bell is not that.

Bell absolutely has Faulk level talent.

IMO, for the Colts, it just comes down to: what's the 2018 free agency plan? If they think the class is weak and they don't want to run into a bunch of Gosder Cherilus situations, maybe it's worth front-loading a Bell contract with a significant signing bonus on money that otherwise would just be sitting there. If they think the class has some answers (particularly at OT, WR, and long term plans for TE/RB/CB/LB/etc.), then no way in hell they should pull the trigger.

FA OTs in 2019 are garbage so toss that out.

I respectfully disagree.... he broke 2000 yards in 2014, and nearly in 2016 and 2017. Those are roughly the same as Faulk's numbers from 1998 to 2001.

Faulk was never one drug infraction away from a long suspension though.

heh... maybe that's why Bell is holding out, ala Ricky Williams in 2004.