The Pittsburgh Steelers have been one of the most consistent teams in the NFL in terms of winning games and finishing with a record above.500, but their playoff success in recent years has been limited since the departure of Ben Roethlisberger and their arsenal of weapons. However, a Steel City star is considering a comeback to the league and has stated that he will only play for one team.
Former All-Pro Running Back Le’Veon Bell Will Attempt an NFL Comeback in 2024.
Le’Veon Bell, who played five seasons for the Steelers, is hoping to return to the NFL and says he will begin training in March. During his five seasons in Pittsburgh, Bell rushed for 5,336 yards and 35 touchdowns, earning two All-Pro honors.
When his contract expired in 2018, Bell was not given a new deal and was instead franchise tagged by Pittsburgh. This produced friction between the two sides, resulting in Bell sitting out the entire 2018 season and wanting to be traded. The next season, he signed a free agent contract with the New York Jets. Bell never achieved the same kind of success as he had in Pittsburgh, and he now regrets leaving.
“I never apologized to Steelers supporters for sitting out or abandoning the team… So I’d like to apologize for leaving the best damn fans in the world. I should not have left. I sorry. I should not have left. I sorry. It’s my fault. That is on me.”
Bell claims, “I will be better than I ever was” ahead of his NFL comeback attempt.
Bell has since left the league and pursued other hobbies, including briefly boxing professionally. While Bell has not signed with a team since 2022, he expressed confidence in his ability to return and sign with his former team on his Snapchat account.
“I’m telling you everything right now. Mark my words when I go out there and train in March, and if by April I decide to come back to play in the NFL again. I will surpass my previous achievements. And I’ll only be back for that one team. You all recognize who it is. I don’t need to mention a team. “You all know who it is.”
Pittsburgh Steelers DE Cam Heyward believes Bell can contribute to the offense in 2024.
Bell’s reference to “one team” leans toward the Steelers, given his connection with the franchise and his misgivings over leaving. While both sides parted ways on bad terms, Bell’s former teammate and defensive tackle Cam Heyward believes he can improve this offense next season.
“If (Bell) comes back, we would be delighted to have him. He appeared to be in fantastic shape the last time we saw him. I know we have some excellent running backs, but he’d bring some wisdom to the team, and we’d take it from there.”
Bell will turn 32 years old this month and is regarded “older” than the rest of the league’s running backs, although Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert just led the league in touchdowns at the age of 31. If the former All-Pro can continue to train at the NFL level, there is a potential he will return in 2024.
