Person familiar with negotiations to AP: Lions and RB Joique Bell agree to 3-year, $9.3M deal
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A person familiar with the negotiations says the Detroit Lions and running back Joique Bell have agreed to a $9.3 million, three-year contract.
The person, who says $4.3 million of the contract is guaranteed, spoke Tuesday to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced.
Bell had a team-high eight touchdowns rushing last season. He was second on the team with 166 carries for 650 yards rushing.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Keeping him was a top priority for the Lions this offseason.
Bell has run for 1,064 yards — 4.3 yards per carry — and 11 TDs in two seasons with the Lions. The undrafted free agent from Wayne State University played in eight games as a rookie in 2010 with the Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org