One of the biggest falling outs in NFL and Pittsburgh Steelers history came with running back Le'Veon Bell. This occurred after Bell decided to hold out and not play in the 2018 season in hopes to get more money from the organization. He declined the franchise tag that the Steelers offered him which was worth $14.5 million. In 2019, he became a free agent and signed with the New York Jets for four years for $52.5 million and $35 million guaranteed. At the time, it made him the second-highest-paid running back in the league.
Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images
Running back Le'Veon Bell #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers tosses the ball forward after gaining a first down against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 15, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Bell Regrets His Decision To Leave The Steelers
Bell's time with the Jets was subpar as he recorded a little over 800 yards and three touchdowns during his two seasons with the organization. He ended up getting cut just two games into the 2020 season and would bounce around from team to team until the end of the 2021 season. Bell is currently only 31 years old, which begs the question, will he ever play in the NFL again?
Although he may not, he made it known publicly that he regrets his decision to leave the Steelers. Bell even went to go as far as to issue an apology to Steelers fans for leaving them in 2018. He would say that they are the best fans in the whole world which made it seem like he was trying to recover from any bridge that he burned in the past.
AP Photo/Frank Franklin II
New York Jets running back Le'Veon Bell (26) runs the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in East Rutherford.
However, the decision for Bell to hold out in 2018 may have never been his choice. Recently on the The Ramon Foster Show, Foster talked about an interesting conversation that he had with Bell's agent. He said he finally admitted what all the fans and coaches had been thinking for years about the situation.
"I met his agent." Foster then said, "He pretty much admitted it was bad advice, that he should have come to camp, and that he hated how it all broke down."
Bell and Foster were teammates throughout Bell's entire time with the Steelers. Foster joined the staff at DK Pittsburgh Sports following his retirement in 2020. It seems like he has known about what happened with Bell and his agent for years now and that Foster has known that Bell's agent made a huge mistake in 2018.
"I knew this, and I have been doing this for years." He then stated, "You all put me on the table to say I was wrong." Foster then said jokingly, "I bet you he has a strong teach tape on what to do and what not to do when it comes to advising his clients."
AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack
Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey (53), offensive guard Ramon Foster (73) and offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva (78) set up to block in a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Bell coming out and apologizing and Foster coming out and saying that his agent told him that he screwed up all comes during a time of controversy in the NFL. Many running backs right now are trying to chase the money like Bell did which could lead to possible holdouts (just like Bell went through). One of the most vocal players for the running backs has been Steelers running back, Najee Harris. He has been very vocal on Twitter retweeting what other running backs have said and has commented his thoughts.
I agree with my running back brothers around the NFL- history will show that you need running backs to win- we set the tone every game and run trough walls for our team and lead in many ways- this notion that we deserve less is a joke. https://t.co/rWJkGIEgmW
— Najee Harris (@ohthatsNajee22) July 17, 2023
There are currently some big names who didn't get contracts settled like Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs. This makes fans of the NFL wonder if the position's market will change, or if we could potentially lose top talent like Barkley in the league.
JORDAN SCHOFIELD / STEELERNATION (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Najee Harris (#22) looks on at training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA on July 28, 2022.
So, what do you think, Steeler Nation? Should Bell's story be a wake-up call to the running backs in the league? Let me know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
