We got confirmation a few days ago that the Steelers won’t attempt to tag and trade Le’Veon Bell, and will let him walk as a free agent. Bell, of course, sat out the entire 2018 season over his contract dispute with Pittsburgh, and we heard just yesterday that he’s seeking a total of $50MM over the first two years of a new deal from salary and signing bonuses.
It’s unclear if Bell will be able to get the huge payday he wants, but he’ll still have a very active market either way with no shortage of suitors. Today, we’ll be taking a look at his most likely destinations.
The Jets have been widely seen as the frontrunner for a while, and will have plenty of cap space available. GM Mike Maccagnan has been signaling for months now that the team will be aggressive in free agency, so New York would seem to be a good fit. It’s already been reported that they won’t be bringing back Isaiah Crowell, so they’ll have a void at running back. Bell would be a nice weapon and safety blanket for Sam Darnold in the passing game. That being said, the Jets apparently have some concern about Bell’s weight and conditioning. Still, the fact that they’re even concerned implies they’re interested.
The Colts have also been linked to Bell for a while now. Coming into the 2018 season they seemed to have a hole at running back, but Marlon Mack performed very well down the stretch. Mack’s emergence could take the team out of the Bell sweepstakes, but they’ll still have a lot of money to spend and could really use better options for Andrew Luck in the passing game aside from T.Y. Hilton.
The Buccaneers are another team that has been frequently mentioned in conjunction with Bell, and are sorely lacking at running back. Last year’s second round pick Ronald Jones didn’t do anything, and Peyton Barber isn’t a viable featured back. New coach Bruce Arians loves to be aggressive, and pursuing a player like Bell would fit him. The Buccaneers are stacked at wide receiver and tight end, and adding Bell would make them one of the most talented offenses in the league.
The Eagles are another playoff-contending team that is missing a featured back, and Bell staying in the state of Pennsylvania has been picking up some steam recently. Darren Sproles is 35 and not much of a runner, Jay Ajayi can never seem to stay healthy, and the young guys behind them have been very inconsistent. The Eagles’ front office is one of the most aggressive in the league, so them making an offer for Bell wouldn’t be at all surprising. Daryl Slater of NJ.com recently listed the Eagles as among his likeliest destinations for Bell.
So, what do you think? Where will Bell end up next season after his year out of the league? Vote in PFR’s latest poll (link for app users) and weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section!
The Indianapolis Colts
They are fine at RB that would be a dumb move on their part
Agreed
I wouldn’t say the Bucs are “stacked” at WR and TE. Even with the addition of Bell, it still wouldn’t make them one of the top offenses in the league.
How are the Bucs not stacked at WR and TE? Mike Evans, DeSean Jackson, Chris Godwin & Adam Hunphries. With OJ Howard and Cam Brate at TE. They can’t / won’t keep them all, but that’s stacked. They had the #1 passing offense last year….
Humphries*
Humphries is a FA and they’ll likely let Jackson go.
They sure didn’t show it
They could have Randy Moss and Jerry Rice and it still wouldn’t matter as long as Jameis is QB guy is a turnover machine.
Truth.
Humphries is likely gone, and Brate could become a cap casualty. As thetruth12 said, doesn’t matter if you have moss or Rice. If you don’t have a QB to throw them the ball, or a decent Defense, they aren’t going to win ball games
So misleading when your behind all you do is pass
I’m ready to stop seeing this picture lol
Ditto.
I know… Bell should be in warmer weather in the off-season.
I only really put Jets because I am a Jets fan and thats where I hope he goes. However, i have no idea where he’ll end up.
Does anyone even care anymore? Dude hasn’t played in over a year and is looking like a semi pro sumo wrestler
Ideally no where. His mentality should be enough to show no team he is worth no where close to the price point he wants.
Jets. They will over pay for Bell. It will still be less than what he’s asking, but they will still overpay.
Agreed.
Canada?
Perfect fit. He looks like he’s been only eating bacon and drinking heavy beer.
Nowhere if he doesn’t lower His asking price. However, I think the Raiders are the team.
This will be interesting to say the least. This will likely set a precedent as to this type of childish behavior by over-valued brats. I tend to think he’ll have to end up lowering his price to go anywhere, but he’ll choose the Jets because he thinks he’s a rapper, like every other person his age with a little money, and he’ll be closer to his studio in NY… I bet he signs for much less after no interest in him after game 2 or 3…
I could see the Packers making a splash and getting him.
Um, no, that won’t happen.
It amazes me that some of you are able to comment seeing as you don’t seem to have any brain cells.
1. He’s still a top running back so he’s still gonna get a substantial deal as long as he’s in shape.
2. This hate towards him makes you all look beyond stupid. Bell said wouldn’t play under the tag, Steelers tagged him, Bell never signed the tag thus never under any contract meaning he had no obligation to the team to play. There is nothing under the current CBA that states if tagged you must sign it and play games. How on earth is that childish?
Flash back a couple years ago Carolina tagged Josh Norman, once it was clear he wouldn’t sign it they rescinded it, something the Steelers should’ve done but instead they let it be a story and distraction for half the season. BELL DID NOTHING WRONG
No, actually, Bell said it would be “a repeat of last year” meaning he’d show up at the end of camp and play.
So, he did imply he would play under the tag.
Then he didn’t show.
That’s his right, but he’s also the one who will pay for it. Teams don’t like that stuff.
“Teams don’t like that stuff” LOL!!!
How is it not childish? He couldn’t play for a playoff caliber team for $15 million because he didn’t trust himself to stay on the field. Steelers made it clear what they were willing to offer, and it wasn’t enough for him. Why would the Steelers just release him and not at least try to get him to sign the franchise tag? Its not a good look because he had a chance to play for one of the best offenses in the league, but decided he’ll go for as much money as he can instead. Not to mention he never told the Steelers what his plan was. Everyone was expecting him week after week and he never showed.
I mean I see what you’re saying, but how do you think his teammates feel? They’re relying on him to help them win and he’s a huge part of the team. His focus isn’t winning
Is this high school/college? “His focus isn’t winning” His focus should be to make the deal HE THINKS is best for his future, not what fans/teammates thinks is best for his future. Winning should be secondary to that. Why is it so Hard to understand? Players know the risks, they also know they need to make decisions they think are best for them.
No it’s the NFL. Where jobs depend on winning. And he didn’t do a good job of doing what’s best for his future. He’s not making that money back
A players job depends HIS performance. The coaches job depends on the performance of the team. Again… So many people worried about HIS money.
Kansas City
Weight Watchers.
You win.
Andrew… are you that Lazy, or do you post articles with a slanted view on purpose? The IDIOT Mehta got called out on Twitter by some people, then admitted that “he wasn’t claiming Bell is even close to the 260 weight right now at this moment”. Also, how a few Pittsburgh reporters even reported that Bell never even got close to the 260 weight, yet you fail to mention that. Its just interested which articles you pick and choose to regurgitate. It’s cool! Gotta keep those clicks coming though.
He’s not getting 50M in the first two years. Not happening.
The 2/50 they are talking about is combined with salary and signing bonuses so let’s say for example he signs a contract paying him 15 million per year with a $20 million signing bonus stretched over the two years that’s 50 million it’s feasible but I don’t know if he gets it. I think there is a possibility regardless what the Jets say they need a guy like bell. If the Jets don’t go after him and I think they well hard to tell where he ends up.
I know. I just don’t think anyone will shell out that much for a RB, especially him, who has sat a year and could be rusty. He could also be a cancer in the locker room.
I’m all about players getting their money but I’ve never seen a player be so unreliable. This dude is never on the field. He’s always suspended to start the league. Then he gets hurt. He has the talent to want all that money but there’s no way I’d give it to him.
Slacker reporters suck,he doesn’t fit the mold to be an ,certainly not worth the risk!
He will sign with Bucs- $48 mil guaranteed with incentives.
steelers a rolling train wreck on all sides of the field: choo-choo
I suppose it’s too late to design an even uglier uniform that can serve as a distraction.
Jets tried a committee of RBs and none did much which indicates the OL is not up to the task regardless of who rushes the ball. The team ranked 26th in time of possession which I suppose is favorable if Bell doesn’t want to be overworked.
He’ll be 27, so If he gets his guaranteed Payday, which would be his last, I don’t think he’ll care about the usage.
The Eagles would have to create a ton of cap space and they have other needs.
Why sign with the jets? You know they will not be able to beat the Pats for the division crown!