FILE – In this Oct. 1, 2017, file photo, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell (26) carries the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Baltimore. A person with direct knowledge of the negotiations says the New York Jets and Bell have agreed to a deal early Wednesday morning, Mach 13, 2019, a person with direct knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press. The deal gives new coach Adam Gase and second-year quarterback Sam Darnold a big-time playmaker, arguably the best player at his position before Bell opted to sit out all of last season rather than sign a franchise tender with Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gail Burton, File)
Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell was on track to be a franchise legend. From 2013-17, Bell rushed for 5,336 yards and 35 touchdowns and recorded 312 catches for 2,660 yards and seven more scores. The former second-round pick was a two-time first-team All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler.
Then 2018 came, and that’s when Bell sat out the entire season due to a contract dispute. He was never the same after that.
Bell signed a four-year, $52.5 million contract with the New York Jets in March of 2019. The contract included $35 million guaranteed, making him the second highest paid running back in the NFL.
Things didn’t pan out in New York, however, as Bell played 17 games over a span of two seasons with the Jets before being released in October of 2020. Bell played for the Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Baltimore Ravens before fizzling out of the league.
During a recent appearance on The White House with Michael Irvin, Bell opened up on how his career ended with the Steelers.
“I feel like they didn’t want it to work,” Bell told Irvin. “At the time, it was Kevin Colbert, I think the GM now, Omar Khan, if that exact situation happened again, I think it gets done. I think the deal gets done, Killer Bs is still there… the GM at the time and my agent, they had a [problem].”
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – OCTOBER 13: New York Jets running back Le’Veon Bell (26) smiles after the National Football League game between the New York Jets and the Dallas Cowboys on October 13, 2019 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)
What could’ve been if Bell remained with the Steelers. Bell has stated in the past that he regrets leaving Pittsburgh. It ultimately came down to a business decision, as former general manger Kevin Colbert wasn’t willing to pay what Bell and his agent wanted.
Bell has since made up with the Steelers organization after his nasty breakup. He has visited the team’s facility, attended games and just recently was on the Steelers’ Legends of Pittsburgh cruise.
Bell is currently a professional boxer. He’s also active on social media and frequently posts livestreams while playing video games.
Bell recently made headlines, as he was going to fight influencer and professional wrestler Logan Paul in a boxing match, but Paul backed out of it due to his contract with the WWE.
Mentioned In This Article: Kevin Colbert Le’Veon Bell Michael Irvin Omar Khan Pittsburgh Steelers Steelers