Le’Veon Bell has not played in the NFL since 2021, but he is aiming to change that soon. The former All-Pro running back recently went public with his intention to return to the NFL. 
Bell made it clear in a series of Snapchat videos that he will train this offseason in a bid to find an NFL opportunity. More specifically, though, he added that he is targeting a return to the Steelers, with whom he started his career. Bell played five seasons in Pittsburgh.
“And I’m gonna be honest with myself, I got to go out there and be like, I’m going to put my foot in the ground,” Bell said. “Do I feel it? Am I hurting? Can I go out there and really play again? And bro, I’m telling you all right now when I go out there and train in March and if I hit April and I make this decision to come back to play in the NFL again, mark my words down – I will be better than I ever was.
“And I will only come back for that one team. You all know who it is. I don’t have to say no team. You all know who it is.”
Bell’s Steelers tenure ended when he sat out the 2018 season, refusing to play on the franchise tag. That move allowed him to depart in free agency on a four-year, $52.5MM deal with the Jets the following year. His New York tenure (and the brief stints with the Chiefs, Ravens and Buccaneers which followed) did not go as planned, however. The three-time Pro Bowler has been out of football for the past two seasons, and he will be 32 by the time the 2024 campaign begins.
Those factors would weigh heavily against any player, let alone a running back. The position’s market has taken a downturn in recent years in large part due to the fall-off in production experienced by players as they reach their late 20s. In 2017, Bell received a league-leading offensive 402 touches, so past workloads would also be a concern for any interested teams.
The Michigan State alum has expressed regret for departing the Steelers, but it would be a surprise if Pittsburgh reciprocated his desire to explore a deal. The team has Jaylen Warren under contract for two more years, and Najee Harris is likely to have his 2025 fifth-year option picked up. With their backfield tandem seemingly in place for the short-term future, the Steelers are unlikely to have much interest in any signficant RB moves this offseason. If Bell manages to return to game shape, though, he could be a name to watch in free agency.
This seems…unlikely to succeed.
Bills mafia: Im still a hard pass here.
Haha
Makes for a cheap popcorn headline
Vet minimum? The bridged are probably burned personally. Not sure if Tomlin is the forgiving sort or not. If Bell’s body has recovered from the Steeler’s abuse years, he might be a useful third-down option.
This is a very long shot to even get signed by the Steelers but if new OC Smith is going to go balls to the wall with the run game they will need more than 2 RB on the roster this year.
Look at Baltimore for example. They’ve been fortunate to not have injuries at the RB position and I’m not saying Bell is the answer but I do think they will have more than 2 RB on the roster this year
He played in 2019, 2020 and 2021 and wasn’t particularly good then. Not sure why he would be any better 3 years later and older.
How bout trying out Antonio Brown too? (smh)
It took him this long to realize the NFL offers a better salary than Dairy Queen?
or his Rap career.
Probably has a better chance at playing in the United Football League than the NFL, but we ALL know that his ego wouldn’t let him go that route.
I saw his picture on a milk carton a couple years ago.
That was probably when he was a Jet!
Antonio Brown would be a better fit and has a chance at some football skills still being there. Bell is completely done and not even worth trying out.
This makes total sense for the Steelers, he can mentor Pickens and Diontae Johnson!!!
Not a chance bud 🙂
Must be in need of some funds. When the Benjamin’s run dry, give it a try! Lol
I was thinking he must be broke
He can’t be worse than Najee Harris
That’s more likely than Bell being better than Harris.
Probably at this point, but at least Bell had a prime, Harris is playing in the best prime years of his career and can’t average 4 ypc. And with the exception of his rookie year isn’t much of a pass catcher either.
Let me get this straight. Somehow, you expected Najee to be NFL rushing leader even after 2+ seasons in which he, the hand off and the entire defensive line often met in the Steelers backfield. This is your assessment of the guy.
Meanwhile, Pickett is replaced by a QB with a strong arm, defenses no longer can stack the box thanks to having respect for deep throws, and Najee runs wild. Just luck I guess, right?
You mean none of this occurred to you—that there’s some correlation?
I missed the part where he mentions expecting Harris to lead the league in rushing. I keep reading and can’t find it.
Jets have a rb
Me too
Steelers fan here…. Let’s run it back one year. Go get Roethlisberger out of retirement, bring back AB and Bell. Hell, let’s even bring back Martavis, HEATH and Pouncey. Let’s get them all back for one first round knock out by the Chiefs.
If you’re going that route, why not Hines too?
Anyone seen James Harrison lately? The guy could still play
It’d sure be fun
The Steelers weren’t great on offense. I’m gonna demand a tryout too. You don’t get me without him, and I was a very mediocre TE at my peak and didn’t play in college.
Is he going to demand the Cam Newton be signed as QB1 to join his “Use Your Delusions” Tour?
He would be the third back on the Steelers. In the past he complained about too many touches. Now he’ll complain about not enough. Unless someone gets hurt, I wouldn’t touch him.
What a lesson his career should be to any NFL player who even thinks about sitting out a season over a contract dispute.
If he does come back he’ll need a security detail to protect himself from all the current running backs who can’t get what they want on the open market thanks to him.
His plan is to train in March to be ready in April and be better than ever? How many concussions has this guy had? Hasn’t played in three years and hasn’t been in shape for five and thinks he’s going to be in shape to be better than ever after a months training? BAHAHAHAHAHA
Been in better shape he has been boxing over the last few years and although he hasn’t been very successful he was taking it serious & his workouts were pretty intense
The being in shape part is not gonna be the issue
The issue will come down to if he is mentally prepared to do what needs to be done as far as a training camp & how much of a step has he lost speed wise
It’s wild how quickly time has passed since the last time Bell was remotely decent. Seemed like just yesterday he was 25 and arrogant as hell and thought he could control his narrative.
Definitely the CTE talking….