Le’Veon Bell might be the most versatile running back in football in the prime of his career right now. Next year, he could be done with it all. Bell, who…
Le’Veon Bell might be the most versatile running back in football in the prime of his career right now. Next year, he could be done with it all.
Bell, who was named first-team All-Pro after a monster season for the Steelers, could sit out the 2018 season or retire from football if the team tries to get him to play another season with the franchise tag, ESPN reported Thursday .
“[I want them to] value me,” Bell told ESPN. “Just get the numbers straight, exactly where we want them. I’m not going to settle for anything.
“I know what I do and what I bring to the table. I’m not going out here getting the ball 400 times if I’m not getting what I feel I’m valued at.”
Bell is making $12.1 million this season after the Steelers designated him with the franchise tag in the offseason. He had 321 carries for 1,291 yards and 85 receptions for 655 yards in the regular season, and the Steelers are preparing to play the Jaguars in an AFC Divisional Round playoff game Sunday at Heinz Field.
He has 7,996 yards from scrimmage since entering the NFL in 2013. LeSean McCoy leads the league in that span, but has only 20 more yards despite playing in 13 more games.
The Steelers could designate him with the franchise tag again, negotiate a new contract, trade him or release him after the season. Bell said he would consider retiring, and if he did sit out a year, there likely wouldn’t be a comeback in his future.
“I’ve made a lot of money, I’m happy where I’m at, I’ve got a good family — I don’t really need to play football,” Bell told ESPN. “Right now, I’m just kind of doing it because I love it. Now, I’ve done everything but own a Super Bowl…
“I don’t necessarily care about the money aspect of it. I just want to be valued where I’m at.”
