Le’Veon Bell Teases Return to Football Field

Pittsburgh Steelers Le'Veon Bell
FILE - In this Oct. 1, 2017, file photo, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) carries the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Baltimore. A person with direct knowledge of the negotiations says the New York Jets and Bell have agreed to a deal early Wednesday morning, Mach 13, 2019, a person with direct knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press. The deal gives new coach Adam Gase and second-year quarterback Sam Darnold a big-time playmaker, arguably the best player at his position before Bell opted to sit out all of last season rather than sign a franchise tender with Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gail Burton, File)

Le’Veon Bell isn’t sweating anything at this point in his career. The former Steelers running back has not played a down of football since 2021 and now that he’s pursuing outside interests, he’s more than okay with that. But something inside Bell still says he might have some tread on the tires.

The former Steelers running back talked with Bryan DeArdo of CBS Sports, and did not rule out the idea that he could potentially come back to the playing field for another chance on the gridiron. He’s content with boxing, rapping, and other interests, but football was Bell’s first love. If he gets the right call, Bell will jump for it.

“I don’t even want to say that I’m done, because I didn’t officially retire,” Bell said. “If I get a call and it’s feeling good, I’m gone.”

That does not mean he is going to jump right at any opportunity. But Le’Veon Bell did apologize to Steelers fans earlier this month and during an interview with the Steel Here Podcast, talked about the potential of coming back to the Steelers for one last opportunity to run through a hole.

“I never officially retired,” Bell said. “The day when I do retire, it is going to be with Pittsburgh. … Before I do that, I may be like, hey, let me get a couple of carries in the preseason so I can show y’all something.”

Bell, who spent five seasons with the Steelers after being drafted in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft, has not played in the league since 2021, but he hasn’t officially retired. If he can make one last trip into a locker room and go after it, it seems he will be open to that notion. Bell played for multiple teams trying to find a foothold in 2021, and now could look again.

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