Steelers: Le’Veon Bell intrigued by possible return to Pittsburgh

Could the Pittsburgh Steelers welcome back a familiar face in Le’Veon Bell? 

What to make of Le’Veon Bell? That’s a million-dollar question that probably isn’t worth that salary for the former All-Pro running back.

The former Pittsburgh Steelers standout agreed to a four-year deal with the New York Jets in 2019 worth up to $52 million. Gang green saw enough in one season to realize he wasn’t the answer to the offense a released him prior to midseason.

Bell elected to sign a one-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs as the team’s secondary runner. He finished with 254 rushing yards, 99 receiving yards and two touchdowns on his way to an AFC title.

Now, Bell is back on the market. Where will he land in 2021? Want him to watch for would be the one he started with.

Bell recently liked a tweet of him potentially returning to the Steel City. After being dropped in the second-round from Michigan State, Bell became an icon and a standout player for the Steelers’ offense.
Should Pittsburgh consider it?

Would the Steelers welcome a reunion?

In five seasons with the Steelers, Bell tallied 5,336 rushing yards, 35 rushing touchdowns, 2,660 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns. He was an all-purpose weapon alongside Ben Roethlisberger in the backfield.

Things did end on a sour note. Bell wanted a massive contract and the Steelers elected to franchise tag him instead. He held out for the entire 2018 season, refusing to play until a deal was done. Instead, the Steelers allowed him to walk in free agency.

Pittsburgh does have needs at running back. James Conner will be a free agent and hasn’t remained healthy since his breakout season in 2018. Meanwhile, the Steelers ranked 32nd overall in rushing offense for the 2020 year.

Over the Cap has Bell valued at $1.5 million on a one-year deal. However, Pro Football Focus is a tad more generous, saying he should be worth about $10 million for two years. Is there a middle ground?

The Steelers free up over $15 million by agreed to new terms with Roethlisberger this offseason. All that said, they can’t afford to add any running back worth top dollar on the market.

Remember that year Bell sat out? Maybe he returns on a prove-it deal at the league minimum to show he still has it. Outside of that, it’ll be hard to imagine GM Kevin Colbert giving him a massive contract this offseason.