Former All-Pro running back Le’Veon Bell is now a free agent after getting his somewhat surprising release from the New York Jets this week.
Another former Steelers Pro Bowler thinks that the versatile veteran back could revive his once-graet career if he joined the ranks of the rival Patriots.
Mike Wallace, who earned Pro Bowl honors in Pittsburgh in 2011 but left town for Miami before Bell arrived as a second-round pick in 2013, took to Twitter on Tuesday to advise Bell on what makes sense for his next NFL stop.
“@LeVeonBell Bears, Rams, Patriots, and Steelers go to anyone of those teams if possible and your back to your old form my g,” Wallace wrote.
The Patriots currently have a pretty deep, versatile running back depth chart comprised of Sony Michel, Damien Harris, James White, Rex Burkhead and undrafted rookie J.J. Taylor.
Bell, who sat out the 2018 season in a contract dispute with the Steelers, never hit his stride in 17 starts with the Jets over the last season-plus. He averaged a mere 3.3 yards per carry on 264 attempts with three touchdowns, though he did continue to show his versatile with 69 receptions for 500 yards and another score in Adam Gase’s much-criticized offense. In two games this season, Bell had just 19 rushes for 74 yards and only three receptions while dealing with a hamstring injury.
At his best in Pittsburgh from 2014-17, Bell had three seasons of more than 1,200 yards rushing and catching more than 75 passes as one of the most versatile running backs in the NFL. He earned All-Pro honors in both 2014 and 2017 before the contract issues and his move to New York derailed his production.
Bell is still just 28 years old.