As if the Pittsburgh Steelers' 45-42 home loss in the AFC Divisional Round to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday wasn't frustrating enough, star running back Le'Veon Bell said he definitely wants to return to Pittsburgh but still left the possibility of that not happening on the table.

According to a postgame interview on Sunday via Katherine Terrell of ESPN, Bell expressed his desire to play for the Steelers but also noted his contract situation.

“Of course,” Bell said when asked if he wanted to remain in Pittsburgh next season. “I never want to leave this city, but obviously, circumstances and things like that. But I definitely don't.”

The All-Pro running back told ESPN on Friday that he was prepared to sit out the season or even retire if he was franchise-tagged again for a second straight year.

“I don't necessarily care about the money aspect of it,” Bell said, who played the 2017-18 season on Pittsburgh's $12.1 million franchise tag. “I just want to be valued where I'm at. If I am playing this game, I want to set standards for all the other running backs behind me, like Todd Gurley and Ezekiel Elliott, Melvin Gordon, guys like that. I'm a guy they can kind of look at. I feel I can do that. I'm in a position where I can do that, and I'm going to do it.”

As the Steelers played from behind for the entire game on Sunday against the Jags, Bell definitely made the most of his opportunities by rushing for 67 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown and nine receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown.

In five years with Pittsburgh, the three-time Pro Bowl running back has rushed for 5,336 yards and 35 touchdowns on 1,229 attempts in 62 regular-season games and has caught 312 passes for 2,660 yards and seven touchdowns. In four career postseason contests, Bell has rushed for 424 yards and three touchdowns on 81 carries as well as 13 receptions for 91 yards and one touchdown catch.