Le'Veon Bell: "I want to be a Steeler for life"
Bryan DeArdo - 18 hours ago 0
Pittsburgh Newsletter
Le'Veon Bell wants to be a Steeler for life.
The former All-Pro said as much during a recent interview with ESPN, while adding that he doesn't necessarily need to make $15 million a season, as he previously alluded to in his recently released rap song. Bell is also confident that he and the Steelers will reach an agreement on a new contract at the end of the 2016 season.
"I'm not a real greedy guy. I don't play football just for money or things like that," Bell said. "I just want to be valued. Wherever it is -- whether its $15 million or lower or higher, whatever it is - I think we will get to an agreement eventually.
"Obviously, I want to be a Steeler for my whole life. My family grew up Pittsburgh Steelers fans, and it's crazy I even got drafted there. So I want to be with them and hopefully we'll reach an agreement. But that will take place once that time come."
Bell also touched on the status of his knee that was injured midway through the 2015 season. After leading the NFL in rushing during the season's first seven games (despite missing the first two games while on suspension), Bell suffered a torn MCL in Week 8, abruptly ending his season.
"I'm going to be ready (for training camp)," Bell said. "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. I don't think I'll actually hit the ground or get tackled. But when that does happen, I'll be ready for it. But cutting, running routes, picking them and putting them on my feet, everything is back to normal." Bell said overall the rehab process went "great." But there were tough times, particularly early on.
"It's crazy because, in November when it happened, I never realize I'd be back at this point. 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'm just thinking now I'm right back to form how I was when I left. 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."
Bell will undoubtedly be motivated to have a big season in 2016. He's entering the final year of his rookie contract, and a huge season and playoff run will certainly lead to a big pay day next offseason. From a personal standpoint, Bell is also out to regain his place as the game's best running back, a position he momentarily held when he led the AFC in rushing while catching an astounding 83 passes in 2014.
From a team perspective, Bell is surely looking to join Franco Harris, Willie Parker, and Jerome Bettis as Steelers running backs that reinforced their greatness with a Super Bowl ring, something that Bell and his teammates will look to achieve in 2016.
Bryan DeArdo - 18 hours ago 0
Pittsburgh Newsletter
Le'Veon Bell wants to be a Steeler for life.
The former All-Pro said as much during a recent interview with ESPN, while adding that he doesn't necessarily need to make $15 million a season, as he previously alluded to in his recently released rap song. Bell is also confident that he and the Steelers will reach an agreement on a new contract at the end of the 2016 season.
"I'm not a real greedy guy. I don't play football just for money or things like that," Bell said. "I just want to be valued. Wherever it is -- whether its $15 million or lower or higher, whatever it is - I think we will get to an agreement eventually.
"Obviously, I want to be a Steeler for my whole life. My family grew up Pittsburgh Steelers fans, and it's crazy I even got drafted there. So I want to be with them and hopefully we'll reach an agreement. But that will take place once that time come."
Bell also touched on the status of his knee that was injured midway through the 2015 season. After leading the NFL in rushing during the season's first seven games (despite missing the first two games while on suspension), Bell suffered a torn MCL in Week 8, abruptly ending his season.
"I'm going to be ready (for training camp)," Bell said. "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. I don't think I'll actually hit the ground or get tackled. But when that does happen, I'll be ready for it. But cutting, running routes, picking them and putting them on my feet, everything is back to normal." Bell said overall the rehab process went "great." But there were tough times, particularly early on.
"It's crazy because, in November when it happened, I never realize I'd be back at this point. 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'm just thinking now I'm right back to form how I was when I left. 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."
Bell will undoubtedly be motivated to have a big season in 2016. He's entering the final year of his rookie contract, and a huge season and playoff run will certainly lead to a big pay day next offseason. From a personal standpoint, Bell is also out to regain his place as the game's best running back, a position he momentarily held when he led the AFC in rushing while catching an astounding 83 passes in 2014.
From a team perspective, Bell is surely looking to join Franco Harris, Willie Parker, and Jerome Bettis as Steelers running backs that reinforced their greatness with a Super Bowl ring, something that Bell and his teammates will look to achieve in 2016.