Former Pittsburgh Steelers star running back, Le'Veon Bell recently made headlines when he hinted at his desire to return to the NFL. Bell, who has been out of the league since 2021, made his intentions clear via a series of Snapchat videos, expressing his desire to play for one team, which many believe is the Steelers.
Not Just Football YouTube
Steelers' Cam Heyward interviews Le'Veon Bell.
Steelers veteran Cam Heyward, host of the podcast Not Just Football With Cam Heyward, shared his excitement and insights into Bell's potential return.
Steelers' Cam Heyward Would Welcome Le'Veon Bell Back
Heyward, a seasoned presence in the Steelers' locker room, addressed the buzz surrounding Bell's possible comeback on his podcast. He emphasized that this news was not entirely new, as Bell had previously revealed his preference for one specific team on their show months ago.
“Guys, he was a guest on our show and he already said that. I don’t know why we are acting like this is brand new news. Le’Veon said he wanted to come back for one team and one team only. If you need to, go listen to our show and we will give you the info. because we got people that are getting this done before it even hits.”
While Heyward welcomed the idea of Bell rejoining the Steelers, he also acknowledged the existing talent within the team. However, he explained why he would love to have Bell back in Pittsburgh.
"If he comes back, we would love to have him. He looked like he was in great shape last time we saw him. I know we got some great running backs, but he could provide some knowledge for the group, and we'll take him from there.”
Bell will celebrate his 32nd birthday on February 18th. His departure from Pittsburgh in pursuit of a more lucrative contract led to him joining the New York Jets in 2019. However, his time with the Jets was marked by injuries and a dip in performance. Bell managed to accumulate 789 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games, far from his peak performance levels.
New York Jets
After leaving Pittsburgh, Le'Veon Bell signed with the New York Jets.
After the 2019 season, Bell's NFL journey took a difficult turn as he played in only 19 games over the next four seasons. Given his time away from the field and his recent performance, the question arises of what Bell could contribute to the Steelers and at what cost? If he wishes to rejoin the Steelers, it is likely that he would need to accept a cost-effective contract.
While the exact contract details Bell might seek are unknown, it's reasonable to assume that if the Steelers wanted to bring him back, they would work out an agreement with significant value. Utilizing Bell in the slot position occasionally could be a valuable strategy for the team. He also could contribute with a few carries per game, potentially helping to preserve the legs of the star running backs, like Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris. Bell believes that if he did come back, he would be better than he ever was in 2024.
Heyward's enthusiasm for the prospect of reuniting with Bell was evident. Despite the Steelers having talented running backs like Harris and Warren, Heyward believes that Bell's experience and knowledge could be invaluable to the team. He expressed confidence that the Steelers would find a way to incorporate Bell effectively into their game plan.
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports
Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Le'Veon Bell running the ball in a game at then-Heinz Field.
While the NFL world speculates about Bell's potential return to the Steelers, Heyward's insights shed light on the situation. Steelers fans await further developments as they might hope to see the talented running back don the black and gold once again.
When Bell left the Steelers to join the Jets in pursuit of a more lucrative contract, it left a bitter taste in the mouths of many fans. However, over time, some fans have found it in their hearts to forgive Bell, especially since he has apologized to the fan base numerous times since via social media.
It's reasonable to assume that for most Steelers fans, the prospect of Bell donning a Steelers jersey once again would be met with joy and nostalgia. It would be a welcomed return to the place where he began his career and delivered some truly incredible seasons in Pittsburgh.
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