PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert stressed earlier this month one of the team’s biggest goals during the offseason was to make wide receiver Antonio Brown and running back Le’Veon Bell vital parts of the organization “for life.”

Done and well, on its way to being done.

The Steelers signed Brown to a new five-year contract on Monday, following through on a promise the club made last summer to take care of the perennial All-Pro as soon as he had just one season left on the six-year deal he signed in 2012.

The team also placed an exclusive rights franchise tag on Bell, opening the negotiating window to reach a long-term agreement with him by the start of training camp.

Brown’s new contract runs through 2021 and will pay him over $72 million and makes him one of the highest paid non-quarterbacks in the league. Brown celebrated by posting a picture of himself with agent Drew Rosenhaus then later added another one with his signature phrase “Business is Boomin’ .”

The 28-year-old Brown is one of just two players in NFL history to catch at least 100 passes in four consecutive seasons, including 106 receptions for 1,284 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Steelers in 2016 as the team won the AFC North and made it all the way to the AFC championship game before falling to New England.

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The new contract more than doubles the six-year, $42 million contract Brown signed in 2012, one that turned into one of the better bargains in the NFL when Brown morphed from sixth-round flyer to star.

Bell could have become a free agent next month, but instead will work with the team on a new contract before the July 15 cutoff after the team used the exclusive rights franchise tag.

CARDINALS: Arizona placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on outside linebacker Chandler Jones after failing to reach a long-term deal with the player.

The non-exclusive tag allows the Cardinals to continue negotiating with Jones through July 15. If another team makes him an offer, Arizona can either match it or receive two first-round draft picks.

Under the franchise tag, Jones would receive about $15 million for the coming season.

Acquired in a trade with New England a year ago, Jones had 11 sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 15 tackles for loss last season.

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GIANTS: A person with knowledge of the details says the New York Giants have told defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul that he will be made a franchise player.

The league source with direct knowledge of the move spoke on condition of anonymity because the Giants had not announced the decision.

The Giants have to designate Pierre-Paul a franchise player by 4 p.m. on Wednesday. He will earn roughly $17 million this season unless the team reaches a long-term agreement by mid-July.

Pierre-Paul had a comeback season in 2016, recording seven sacks and 53 tackles.

He also had eight passes defended, forced three fumbles and recovered one and returned it 43 yards for a touchdown. He missed the final four regular-season games and a playoff matchup against Green Bay with a sports hernia.

PANTHERS: Carolina is looking to keep its defensive line intact.

Carolina applied the non-exclusive franchise tag to defensive tackle Kawann Short and re-signed defensive end Wes Horton to a two-year contract. The moves come one day after the Panthers signed defensive end Mario Addison to a three-year contract.

COWBOYS: Dallas is in search of a veteran backup quarterback for a second consecutive offseason and again have interest in free agent Josh McCown, sources said.


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