Report: Le’Veon Bell Narrows Choice to 3 Teams, Steelers Reunion Unlikely

Free agent running back Le’Veon Bell has reportedly narrowed his options to three teams, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are not one of them.

According to a report by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Bell is planning to decide between the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins as his next team, and he could make a decision as early as today. A reunion with the Steelers is considered unlikely at this stage.

Le’Veon Bell currently plans to sign with one of three teams, per source: Dolphins, Chiefs, Bills. Barring change, Bell will decide among these teams as early as today. Steelers reunion unlikely at this point.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) October 15, 2020

The Chiefs and Bills are the most intriguing potential destinations with both teams sitting at 4-1 atop their respective divisions, providing Bell his best chances to win a championship. While the Dolphins are clearly at a different stage in their franchise, Miami can offer him the lifestyle and a clear starting role.

In addition, all three teams play the Jets at some point this season, providing Bell with an immediate opportunity to stick it to his former organization.

With his desire to remain a feature back and the messy end to his Steelers career, a reunion with Pittsburgh seemed unlikely from the start, as the team would have likely wanted him to share carries with starting running back James Conner. Still, the Steelers are 4-0 for the first time since 1979, so they should be just fine without adding Bell.

Bell was released by the Jets on Tuesday night after a disastrous year-and-a-half in New York. The former star rushed for just 863 yards and four touchdowns through 17 games. He had no rushes over 19 yards while playing under Jets head coach Adam Gase, and did not post a single 100-yard rushing performance.

Bell began his career in Pittsburgh before signing with the Jets as a free agent back in 2019. He is fourth in Steelers history with 5,335 rushing yards and 35 rushing touchdowns. He was just as impactful as a receiver, catching 312 passes for 2,660 yards and seven touchdowns as a Steeler, with receptions and yards the most by a running back in team history. Bell was selected to three Pro Bowls and was twice named First-Team All-Pro over his Pittsburgh tenure.