Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back signed a four-year deal with the New York Jets this offseason, ending a very productive—yet tumultuous—six-year run with the Steelers franchise.
When asked by a Jets reporter if Bell can elevate any team he is a part of, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin had a hilarious response:
“I would hope so. You guys paid him enough,” said Tomlin, according to Manish Mehta of The New York Daily News.
Bell did not play at all this past season, as he sat out the entire year due to a contract dispute with Pittsburgh. He also held out through Week 1 of the 2017 campaign, but returned and ended up rushing for 1,291 yards and nine touchdowns while hauling in 85 receptions for 655 yards and a couple of scores en route to a Pro Bowl appearance and a First-Team All-Pro selection.
The 27-year-old, who played his collegiate football at Michigan State University, was originally selected by the Steelers in the second round (48th pick overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft.
He had a quiet rookie campaign, but the following season, Bell broke out, racking up 1,361 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground while also catching 83 passes for 854 yards and three scores, making his first Pro Bowl and earning First-Team All-Pro honors as a result.
Overall, the Reynoldsburg, Oh. native made three Pro Bowl appearances during his time with Pittsburgh, leading the league in carries in 2017.
The Jets are coming off of a 2018 campaign in which they won just four games and were starving for offense, so Bell's addition should certainly prove worthwhile for New York.
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