Former Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell converted his 2018 holdout into a lucrative deal with the Jets, but he would have done things differently if he could.
“I should not have left. I sorry. That’s my fault. “That’s on me,” Bell said, admitting that he “never apologized to the fans for genuinely sitting out or quitting the Steelers.”
Former Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell converted his 2018 holdout into a lucrative deal with the Jets, but he would have done things differently if he could.
Bell stated in a social media video that he should not have left Pittsburgh and apologized to what he described as the world’s best fans.
“I should not have left. I sorry. That’s my fault. “That’s on me,” Bell said, admitting that he “never apologized to the fans for genuinely sitting out or quitting the Steelers.”
While he did receive his money — signing a contract with the Jets worth more than $13 million per year – Bell’s career stalled as he battled in New York before being released only weeks into his second season with the team. That was enough to make him regret how his exit from the Steelers went.
Bell was a key member of Pittsburgh’s “Killer B’s” offensive, racking up over 1,800 scrimmage yards in three seasons. Bell never played for the Steelers again after being named an All-Pro in 2017, and his final three NFL seasons were spent with the Jets, Chiefs, Ravens, and Buccaneers, totaling only 1,218 yards rushing.
James Conner’s production with Bell out of the mix in 2018 is just one example of how running backs tend to be deemed replaceable. (He averaged 4.5 yards per carry, rushing for 973 yards and 12 touchdowns).
But others might point to the fact the Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since Bell left and have struggled to match Bell’s efficiency as a reason not to let the position’s stars get away so easily.
