Le’veon Bell is an all-pro running back player in the National Football League. He played college football at Michigan State University and was drafted 48th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. With Clyde Edwards-Helaire back in the lineup, Bell’s athleticism and rigor is often ignored.
Following a rookie season during which he rushed for over 800 yards, Bell received tremendous acclaim in his second season with the Steelers, totaling over 2,200 combined yards and making the Pro Bowl. Bell skipped out on several games in 2015 and 2016 due to drug-related penalties and suspensions, but nevertheless put up strong figures and was named in the NFL Top 100 both years. In 2017, he had a league-high of 321 carries for 1,291 yards, as well as 85 catches for 655 yards, and he was named to his third Pro Bowl. The next year, Bell declined to sign the Steelers’ franchise tag, which resulted in him missing the entire 2018 season.
He signed with the New York Jets the following off-season, but he never regained his previous degree of success. After less than two seasons, the Jets released him. Following his release, Bell signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, with whom he spent the remainder of the 2020 season.
With Clyde Edwards-Helaire back in the lineup, Bell’s offensive skills are often overlooked. After being released by the Jets in Week 5, the soon-to-be 29-year-old played in nine regular-season games with Kansas City, logging 63 carries for 254 yards, averaging 4 yards a carry, and scoring two touchdowns. With the Chiefs, Bell caught 13 of 17 targets for 99 yards.
Now a free agent, the memory of Bell’s electric on-field abilities with the Steelers from 2013 to 2017 may be enough for him to win another chance elsewhere in the league. With the next NFL season beginning in August, any team would be lucky to have Le’veon Bell as a running back.
