The Downfall of Le'Veon Bell

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[@Obeify]

I still laugh about him signing with the jets for a million less just to end his career.

[@oceanlove4503]

It was because Jets offered more guaranteed money.

[@greysouljr8913]

@@oceanlove4503 yeah but the steelers much more benefit for him if he sign to them

[@sandlotscout6358]

@@oceanlove4503 but he's paying way more taxes in NY

[@brandoninhofer6592]

@@oceanlove4503 Yes potentially; but however, he never earned it as he couldn't stay on the team for 2 seasons .

[@jdog0175]

Steelers kept franchise tagging him, the jets offered a legit contract

[@flint2080]

He didn't appreciate the value of his OL.

[@machinegunpiggy2471]

Yes he did he always use to thank them every touchdown

[@flint2080]

@@machinegunpiggy2471 I meant him thinking he would have the same success with a weaker OL. His style of running was very reliant on the OL, plus having Ben running the offense.

[@MadKingLordeus]

He didn't appreciate anything but the money, but disrespected the money he agreed to play for, which cost him. I hope what money he did get for his trouble was well invested because he cost himself at least 50 million sitting out that season.

[@karlablanco6803]

@@MadKingLordeus cost him that and who knows maybe a super bowl

[@chairmanoftheboard11]

He didn’t have a receiver like AB as a threat.

[@danhardy6463]

Him and Antonio Brown hustled them selfs out of the league 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@davidgraham2673]

And good riddance to both of them.

[@danhardy6463]

@@davidgraham2673 adios to both of them

[@davidgraham2673]

@@danhardy6463 , (I'm still bitter.) With the defense we were building,, i can't help but wonder what if........?

[@danhardy6463]

@@davidgraham2673 the 3 B's, turned out 2 of the B's were b!+@$#es

[@STMARTIN009]

AB went out with guns blazing!!

[@Vinny2390]

This was crazy. I just remember him tearing it up for the Steelers game after game. Year after year. Then to what he does now..... Well not play in the NFL. Just insane how quick it was.

[@beeemm2578]

Leave'nBegone Bell

[@seanrosenkranz5748]

this shit had me geekin bruh😂😂😂

[@beeemm2578]

@@seanrosenkranz5748 😃

[@iLLBiLLsRoastBeats]

“Just over 42 touchdowns” so 43?

[@imdafish5705]

i was gonna comment that lol

[@kc8767]

Just under half of 100 touchdowns.

[@thereesebonneau]

LITERALLY HAHAHA

[@gt951]

That's the reason why I opened the comments lmao

[@user-vv4lo5yz3h]

I'm dead 😭

[@joleaneshmoleane8358]

He was on his way to hall of fame if he’d spent the rest of his career in Pittsburgh.

[@natedillon5693]

fr… but now we got najee harris i’d rather have him now

[@hybrid8557]

@@natedillon5693 ofc you would

[@chodysseus420]

No he wasn’t bro, dude was straight doodoo water. The Steelers O Line is what made him so “Good”. Slow as hell, decent blocker though lol

[@Storm74.]

I wouldn’t go that far but he was a solid back for us

[@lacydo]

Bell and Brown fucked Ben over

[@pplebite8844]

Too much pride, and he didn't believe that his success had anything to do with the O-line. The Steelers O-line was trained specifically for his running style. Sure, they protected Ben well, but the running game was focused solely on Bell's odd 'stop-go' style that hasn't been seen since then.

[@jtcattanio]

Truth

[@voiceofreason2674]

Yea it was a weird style I played OLine and couldn’t tell whether they were in man or zone. I know it was zone most of the time

[@pdg90]

Bell was also a great receiver too. The Steelers should've just paid him cause the run game ain't been the same since he left.

[@PD-qu8dq]

But the O-line got paid but Leveon didn’t.

[@themaninthemirror7262]

This is what happens when an NFL player twerks in the endzone smh🤔

[@seshansmith7690]

When you sit out a year and you're not that dedicated to staying in game shape you're not going to be as good

[@thewanderingsamurai4923]

Biggest mistake was signing that contract with the jets.

[@dantej32]

They would not give him the ball

[@kylek7748]

It was his running style, he was incredibly patient and was able to do that because the Steelers of line was great. He was never able to adapt

[@jacobheileson9750]

"I don't like your offer, so I'm going to sign with a different team for less" *Jackie Chan visible confusion*

[@qbrees30339]

He got like 40 or 50 something guaranteed tho so 🤷🏿‍♂️

[@83wasagoodyear]

@@qbrees30339 30

[@brandoninhofer6592]

Should've stayed on the Steelers, as he could have made way more money in the long run. Oh well, he was trouble in the locker room... can't really say that I miss him at this point. Goes to show that his success was due mostly to the Steelers (good) line at the time. Good luck in retirement!

[@xprods7713]

If I was an RB I'm taking that money. Rbs don't make that much money and careers are short. So making 14 mil a year is a W for a RB

[@koolkitties8552]

And that was 4 yrs ago

[@PD-qu8dq]

That’s why he wanted to be paid like a WR, especially being the Top RB on the team and maybe 3rd in receptions on the team

[@richfitzgerald833]

@@PD-qu8dq It wasn't about being paid like a wr. He wanted more upfront money since RBs had less longevity due to injuries.

[@mlee81]

@@PD-qu8dq yes but mostly dunk checkdown plays. I'm not downplaying his receiving skills. He was not a receiver though. Marshall Faulk was more of a 'receiver'. Bell was a RB that could run and catch well.

[@MeekMillisbendingoverrn]

The problem is him taking that contract destroyed any RB down the line getting one like it lol shit Henry just signed for half of what Bell signed for in NY and he’s twice as good as Bell

[@No1tgffgh]

The original wide back.. Wish things had ended differently with Bell. One of my favorite players. Hope he's doing well.

[@slimpaco]

Marshall Faulk?

[@sandlotscout6358]

He wasn't no damn wide back, never lined up anywhere but behind the qb

[@paralysisgaming1207]

If I was him I wouldn’t mind my career ending, I’d just be stoked cause the fact that I played with mahomes, Big Ben, Lamar, and Brady in my career lmao

[@ajbemrose8259]

“The original wide back..” You must be new here.

[@heyitsme1534]

Thurman Thomas?

[@llamaofvinter5801]

Credit where it’s due, he came out admitting he made a mistake not recognising how good he had it in Pittsburgh. Like his offensive line and coaches prioritising him as a runner and pass threat getting to play many games. He regrets leaving and it’s safe to say I hold no grudge against him. NY offered more guaranteed money and he took it, but end of the day he lost a lot more and not just money in leaving us. Dude left Tomlin and wound up with Gase, that’s a yikes moment if ever there was one. He’s had his punishment and then some since leaving us.

[@the1aboveall367]

He didn’t appreciate how my Steelers treated him we put him in those good situations bum know look at you

[@MeekMillisbendingoverrn]

Yeah more like he took it for granted smh these players don’t understand that the league gives them the fame fortune and money…all they have to do is work at their crafts and the rest falls into place…Bell just wanted all his money right away smh not the way to go about it

[@zyzzer]

Bell is a great example of "don't bite the hand that feeds you." Millions of people complain about what's wrong in their life or what's unfair rather than appreciate what they have ("I work for someone who makes money off of my work/productivity/value!")

[@magnoliamike]

That’s why I’m glad we have a player like Jalen hurts, players like that have that drive to get better each and every year. And don’t get lazy. It’s a character thing. That’s what I would look for when I draft, a personality like that

[@pokemonpulls199]

Cause those teams catered to those players basically building teams around that player!

[@franklinellis27]

When your heart is not in it, you lose that drive, and focus.

[@markrobinson1135]

His ego took over and he saw himself as the most important part of the running game. He had a great offensive line and a great offensive line coach. Le'Veon Bell you blew it

[@iplaywarzone5520]

That hop tho bro was floating

[@mattymack894]

Pittsburgh had a top 3 o-line at the time.

[@penguinrea0088]

Jesus Loves everybody Amen

[@yossimelamed9555]

No he doesn’t

[@Tpuff20]

Amen

[@Tpuff20]

@@yossimelamed9555 yes he does

[@yossimelamed9555]

@@Tpuff20 prove it

[@Tpuff20]

@@yossimelamed9555 “if anyone loves me, he will keep my word and my father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home within him”- John 14:13

[@Pooda1k]

This story is missing some details. Steelers didn’t offer LeVeon a long term contract. They franchise tagged him for $14m that’s basically a one year deal. So if anything happen to him during that season they can easily walk away from him after that year . Not to mention he had already played under a franchise tag the year before & had a terrific season & was very deserving of a guaranteed long term contract. Before you judge him be mindful. The nfl is a violent league & playing RB is probably the most injured proned position. This guy gets over 400 touches per year on that Steelers team. I would want long term financial security too. The jets offered him just that. Till this day he’s not on a team but he’s still on the jets payroll from that guaranteed contract.

[@jacobburnett7306]

I find it hilarious that everyone tries to say him signing with the jets was the reason his career died when people forget to include the fact he held out from playing for a year and gained nearly 30 pounds 🙄 the take is dumb

[@fearlessj.walker3277]

It's still his fault that his career died

[@jacobburnett7306]

@@fearlessj.walker3277 my take doesn’t counter that argument

[@brandoninhofer6592]

It was him sitting out and gaining 30 pounds, then signing with the Jets that caused his career to end. What a bum haha 😄, I don't feel sorry for him. He could have made more money with the Steelers. He, Bell, forgot that it was the Steelers that made him famous with the O-line and other players there. Football is a team sport.

[@cornpipe]

It was a combination of the two, being out of shape on a crappier team with a weaker o-line and passing attack. Also, signing for less had to take the wind out of his sails.

[@josigreen5681]

the o line he had with the steelers was tailored for is running style. he left for the money but was far less protected

[@alberthernandez7296]

That dude owes me 45 fantasy dollars dude screwed me lol

[@robertwilson8939]

Having Bell, Ben, and AB was fantasy gold back in the day

[@TurdFerguson92]

Adam gase is the reaso . He set the jets back 10 years. After he was gone almost half the players that were starters were out of the league the next year because they were trash

[@michaelgarza1302]

He kept saying he was, "The Stephen Curry of Football" haha!

[@thomasbarlow5666]

Sometimes the system and teammates make the man.

[@easbreid9879]

Its the Madden curse, once your on the cover of a Madden game you either tank, get hurt, or lose the Super Bowl. This used to be talked about back in the day

[@andrewchristman1844]

As a Steeler Fan, when he did what he did, I was heartbroken. Why didn't his agent do his job? He could have been an all-time great! Now, I just hope AP beats him up in his upcoming Boxing Match.

[@blaqlight1918]

As a Steeler fan all of my life, this still makes me so so sad. Because it was so unnecessary. We still luv you in the Burgh❤

[@James-do4oh]

Having only one or two explosive years as an RB in the NFL is actually more common. See Larry Johnson, Priest Holmes, Natrone Means, Barry Foster, and more. In fact, I'd be surprised if Le Veon Bell had made noise in NY.

[@sethcharles8978]

keep it up mike

[@jaf1213]

I truly believe if brown and bell stayed in Pittsburgh their entire careers’ Pittsburgh would’ve won a ring

[@rebeccabennett6557]

NFL players pay attention, your not that great! Stay with your team, where you were able to become a good player. How bout realizing your success is partly due to your teammates!

[@rockerrock328]

He was a possible future HOF player in Pittsburgh. Greed and poor decisions ruined his career.

[@penguinrea0088]

Jesus is Lord Amen

[@MrBlonde1609]

That's that Madden cover curse anybody in the NFL that gets a Madden cover either loses thier job or gets a career ending injury

[@stevenkluck4250]

Bell made huge mistakes by sitting out. Not only did he miss 1 year of salary, But going to the Jets was 1 million short per year over Pittsburgh offer. Not only was less money but New York state tax is way more than Pennsylvania state tax so he lost millions when it comes to money take home

[@smum81]

He cursed himself by being greedy and lazy.

[@khiwilliams6169]

How it’s a business lol he was doing what’s best for him

[@tee1up785]

@@khiwilliams6169 and by being greedy it cost him a million dollars.

[@khiwilliams6169]

@@tee1up785 it’s a business 🤷🏽‍♂️ just like how nfl teams to the players because it’s a business he was doing the best for him and his family

[@bonnevillebagger9147]

@@khiwilliams6169 it’s was BAD business, dude wasted a year of career and then signed for LESS than the initial offer. All in his greed cost him 16 million.

[@D1T3M4]

He was one of my Favorite HB to watch and it's sad to see him not play anymore

[@eddisonfoncette9103]

Laveon didn't recognise or appreciate just how fortunate he was to play for one of the most respected, organised and stable franchises in the NFL. Also just how good HC Mike Tomlin is and it's cost him not just money but his career and a shot at the HOF. Go Hawks

[@michelleromeo32]

Ha!

[@hitstickgang2179]

It’s because defrint teams have different schemes

[@HaruhiSuzumiya93]

It’s cause one team needs you more and the atmosphere is right. It’s like being a running back with Tom Brady as your Quarterback, there will be more pass plays than run plays so you won’t be the focus of how they move the ball & so you’re “just filling a position.”

[@robertpayne6781]

There is a long recent history of Steelers offensive players leaving and never matching their previous production.

[@EvilSnipa]

Bell was a product of that oline. He was Maybe a average Running back at best.

[@chrisgoodman6989]

Square pigs don’t fit in round holes, they’re good in certain systems and other systems they’re more than just bad This is why when you’re drafted it is so important that you’re drafted into a system that fits your skill set

[@N_manMETA11]

I will live a long life where I have a lot of questions, and fairly high on that list will be what compelled Le'Veon Bell to find a $14 million franchise tag to be insulting, then immediately sign with a godawful Jets team for less money only to walk off a cliff. As a Steeler FAN this depresses me. Look at what he gave up, just to chase a rap career and an early punctuation to a career that could have been *so* much more.

[@leoh1191]

As a RB..this is why you stick w the team with a great o line

[@mannyflo209]

Same to Matthew Stafford

[@samstephens378]

I remember all the hype around Le'Veon Bell, I was never impressed with the guy.. total scheme guy.. He was in a terrific situation in Pittsburgh and he didn't understand that fact.. ° Hall of Fame QB ° Hall of Fame WR ° Great offensive line ° Great young head coach. But he thought it was all Le'Veon Bell I remember arguing with a former friend about Bell... I mean he thought the guy was all that and a bag of chips... Nick if you see this comment be Man enough to admit you were wrong about this Bum.

[@stellaragent3787]

In Bell's case and 80% of most RBs it's all about the O-line, if not age and injuries... but an offensive line can make or brake a running back...

[@timharl3642]

Bad advice from a bad agent. Then it became mental for him. He didn't get what he wanted, so he stopped trying and checked out.

[@demetriuswilliams2721]

I don't know another team that had arguably both the best rb and wr on the same team. That offense was crazy

[@LeDaddyJamesThe3rd]

Sounds like the madden cover curse to me

[@mikegray-ehnert3238]

The league is hard on some position players. RB's have like a 5 yr Ave lifespan in the league. Not contracts/teams, it's wear and tear.

[@TheLeadG]

Well sometimes players fall off because the teams scheme just doesn’t fit. Others are they feel entitled so they don’t try. Or they just fall off and people figure them out. Many reasons can make that happen.

[@zeebow1854]

Steelers shouldn’t have even offered him any money at all. Their run game was always on point just plugging in a decent back there. I remember a 30+ year old Deangelo Williams getting thrown in for Bell for last couple games of the season and tearing it up with multiple back to back 100+ yard 1 td games. James Connor had a solid year and now Najee Harris. So hopefully Steelers have learned from it and don’t shelve out Todd Gurley money for Najee when the time comes.

[@oceanblue22]

While with the Jets Bell commented about the importance of his music career now, he’s got lots of time to pursue that.

[@whodeycinbengals]

He was a product of an explosive offense in Pittsburgh. They made him look better than he was

[@derfvcderfvc7317]

People really dont understand how contracts in sports work. Average annual value does not tell the full story especially if the player signed does not play for the full term of the contract. That's when it comes down to signing bonuses, guaranteed amounts, and front and rear loading of the contract.

[@andrewsallee3060]

My friend dated Leveon in college at Michigan State and he broke up with her at the start of the combine. No one thought he was gonna be as good as he was when he entered the league. Once he left the Steelers he was garbage

[@rainmanrichards7296]

Happens to the Steelers wide receivers as well.

[@yoloswaggins5385]

Almost every single star that has left the Steelers for “greener grass” got absolutely screwed and their careers went down the drain almost immediately too many to list or count but a few: santonio holmes, leveon bell, plaxico burress (i know special circumstances kinda), mike wallace, markys wheaton, etc i could go on all day. And those arent even all the big names but goes to show you how the steelers are one of the best franchises in football history, honestly they are the best hard to debate that they have the most Super Bowls of all time to show for it (pats don’t count cause spygate cheating)..

[@camilokawas6428]

You should do pt.2 but with rustle Westbrook

[@Gunrayz]

Y’all forget that Steelers deal didn’t have any guarantees besides the signing bonus, they could run him ragged for a season and then cut him for free. His Jets deal included guarantees.

[@GIO-rw7bm]

As a Steelers fan , That’s what he gets he took that shit way to personal 💯

[@dynamite6507]

That OL is important. I always thought it was a bad move

[@frankl7710]

Bell sat out 2 years.. he was never the same

[@christophermelendez2992]

Bro I’m so used to seeing you in suits to see you rocking the backwards cap is throwing me off. Still a big fan tho lol

[@frybreadking351]

A new team doesn’t always work out. Dalvin Cook is seeing that this year. If he would’ve stayed with Vikings he’d be RB1 and they would definitely be better. The Vikings offer was the same as the Jets 🤯

[@Hello-816]

Pittsburgh disrespected him with the deal they offered him. There was only 10 million guaranteed. If he gets hurt he never sees the 30 million or 45 million. So the rest of that money is void if he gets hurt or they decide to cut him.

[@chocolatethai7747]

It's the system they play in, but football players want to get basketball contracts. But their skills aren't always transferable

[@devinhoyt8038]

Pittsburgh did him dirty they kept drafting and signing back up running backs and giving them almost the same carries most of the pro starters at the skill positions don't care about winning as much as they want to pad there stats

[@locc132]

I get why he did it. I'm a die hard Steelers fan. But man did that hurt.

[@samjasek1755]

That’s why you don’t pay RBs folks! He had over 1500 touches as a steeler and that doesn’t count all the touches in college and high school ball

[@Merkaba954]

If there is anything that should be learned, if you are a football player professionally never accept the madden cover it is uncanny how basically all players that do it wash out in some way

[@danmulligan9129]

To this day I still say they should've paid Bell instead of Brown. They always find good receivers, but they're still trying to form even a decent run game.

[@andrewpruitt2k557]

I agreed with bell sitting out and the whole strike thing up until he signed with a team for a mil less a year, the same fully guaranteed, and less in incentives

[@ernestlewis8847]

Could have been the best back in Steelers history. I couldn’t believe he left.

[@dionshare7103]

Always seems like those players that leave us don't seem to fair well elsewhere. I hope JuJu breaks that though because I like him.

[@josephfogle5073]

It is because the longevity of running backs is very short. It is the most punishing position in football snd the average running back retires at 26. People see the very few star players that play 10 years or more snd think that is how long you can or should play but that us not reality. They also fail to realize that without good blocking no tuning back is successful so if you go to a different team the chemistry offense blocking schemes maybe totally different. Only the elite of all time can play based upon their talent alone. That is why football is a team sport.

[@mikelomez9313]

I said it as soon as the jets signed him that it was gonna be a disaster. A RB cannot just take a whole year off. Ray Rice too. RBs can't take a whole year off

[@samstephens378]

Guys don't seem to understand that there's a lot that goes into them becoming successful.. ° being talented and dedicated on a personal level. ° having the opportunity to play. ° being drafted to the right team who has a specific vision for how the best utilize your gifts. ° a coaching staff that can put you in a scheme to use your strengths while masking your weaknesses. ° other great players around you who make it impossible for defenses to focus only on you. But amazingly you have players who don't comprehend this... Average Joe's who are flourishing because they lucked out and fell into a once in a lifetime dream situation... They hit the lottery but they think they can throw the winning ticket away, , then just pick the winning numbers for the next Lotto which happens to have a much bigger pot.. News Flash... You were not producing like this all on your own... And you won the lottery by luck and chance... Not because you were smart enough to pick the right numbers.

[@itsfroggertv2068]

Systems. Pitt had a good QB in Big Ben so you can’t load up to stop the run plus the line has something to do with it. Play calling it’s the system.

[@boerieroll]

Steelers should have and probably would have 2 more Lombardis had Leveon and AB just focused on winning and their jobs for the team

[@me24-79]

Some players egos are bigger than the talent they have

[@Diogenes-ty9yy]

As a wise man once said, "You have to be careful what you wish for, as you just might get it." Well, he got to change teams and his career went right down the old commode.

[@adrisjones7261]

It’s called team dynamics those little things you over look to take money are paramount to your success

[@ColeKeleher]

Lev Bell's downfall actually started when he sat out for a season back in 2018.

[@dolphin1346]

I'm hoping A-Train can be a younger version of him. The Miami dolphins rookie running back

[@ericgarrison93]

Ravens should've played him more he definitely was the one back gaining yards

[@ocularzombie6679]

Johnny Unitas' nail in the coffin was being traded to the Chargers in 1973 (or was it 1972?) He retired after that whole thing

[@seanfloyd4510]

Hey bro, Hillis went from Broncos to the Browns. Then killed it.