A week after Le’Veon Bell rapped – yep, he’s a hip-hop artist in his spare time – that he wanted million a year on his next contract, the Steelers running back clarified his remarks.
Advertisement
After making it clear earlier in the week that he never wants to leave the Steelers, Bell doubled down on that expressed desire.
The time has come for Bell to declare that he’ll be ready to go after suffering a serious knee injury last November against the Bengals. He played five games previous year and rushed for 556 yards with three touchdowns.
“The biggest thing for me is getting mentally ready for getting hit and things like that, and I don’t think I’ll really get tackled until a preseason game or maybe in the regular season”, he said. But when that does happen, I’ll be ready for it.
“Much has been made about the fact that Bell is not simply a pass-catching running back, but rather a football player who is also capable of executing the assignments of a wide receiver proper, and his 6’1”, 215-plus-pound frame combined with his mature route-running skills and soft hands see to the truth of that. According to Sporting Charts, Bell ranked No. 4 at the running back position in point-per-reception (PPR) leagues (18.53 points-per-game). “I remember it was times when I couldn’t walk up the steps, walk down the steps, really couldn’t sit down by myself, even go to the restroom. I don’t play football just for money or things like that”, Bell said, via ESPN’s James Walker. Obviously, it’s more of a mental thing for me now. I know my knee is strong enough now. “I know it’s probably stronger than it ever was, my legs are”. If the two sides can’t negotiate a long-term deal, the Steelers could opt to use the franchise tag to keep him another year before extending him. Beyond next season, he’s insisted he’s confident about securing a new contract once his rookie deal expires, per Walker.
Is Le’Veon Bell worthy of $15 million?
“I’m not a real greedy guy”.
Bell released a single titled “Focus” last Saturday that has references to his three-game suspension for a marijuana arrest past year, his recovery from a torn MCL and the reason he plays football. “I just want to be valued”.
It comes as no surprise to me that Bell would think he is worth $15 million but with his injury history, it makes it a huge risk.
Advertisement
“Obviously, I want to be a Steeler for my whole life”, he said.
