Former Steelers RB Le’Veon Bell Has ‘A Lot to Prove’ after Release by Jets

Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell is a free agent just 19 months after signing a four-year free agent contract with the New York Jets.

The Jets reportedly released Bell on Tuesday after being unable to find a trading partner for the disgruntled running back, who had requested an exit from New York.

got a lot to prove. i’m ready to go. pic.twitter.com/oDqBM62JfN

— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) October 14, 2020

New York will eat the remainder of his over $15 million salary this season, plus have another $4 million in dead cap money for the 2021 season.

The 28-year-old Bell has played in just two of the Jets’ first four games and rushed a total of 19 times for 74 yards, a 3.9 yards per carry average. He has also caught three passes for 39 yards.

Bell refused to speak with the New York media after the Jets lost to fall to 0-5 on Sunday. He’ll now be free to sign with whatever team he likes, something that should make him an attractive option in a league that has already seen high-profile backs Saquon Barkley, Nick Chubb, Tarik Cohen, Dalvin Cook, Austin Ekeler, Philip Lindsay, Christian McCaffrey, Marlon Mack and Sony Michel suffer injuries in the early part of the season.

There has been some speculation that Bell might enjoy a return to Pittsburgh, where he played for five seasons after being drafted in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Michigan State.

But the Steelers have a fairly full running backs room with Benny Snell, Jaylen Samuels and rookie Anthony McFarland, Jr. working in behind starter James Conner. It’s also not clear if any bad feelings between parties remain after Bell held out the entire 2018 season rather than sign the Steelers’ franchise tender.