After sitting out all of last season because he refused to sign his $14.5 million franchise tag, running back Le’Veon Bell got his long-awaited release from the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason.
Bell fielded offers from a number of back-needy teams and ended up landing with the New York Jets at the start of NFL free agency.
The 27-year-old’s deal, four years for $52.5 million with the potential to earn as much as $61 million, includes $35 million in guaranteed cash.
Not a bad payday. But, it’s also substantially less than the three-time Pro Bowler would have made if he had signed his tag with the Steelers and suited up last season.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer has the details:
Jets RB Le'Veon Bell's four-year, $52.5 million deal has $14.5 million in Year 1, $26 million over first 2.
That's $7 million less than the $33 million he was offered over the first two years of the Steelers' five-year, $70 million proposal in July.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 14, 2019
But, despite the money he left on the table, Bell said he wouldn’t do things anything differently.
“The decision I made is the decision I would do all over again,” Bell said. “I don’t regret anything that happened. Everything has happened for a reason up until this point. Who’s to say if I played last year, if I do go out and play one a one-year franchise tag, if I do get hurt, do I end up in this position today, being with the New York Jets on a beautiful deal? On the other side of it, if I go out there and play on the franchise tag and I get another 400 [touches] … and I come out of the season healthy, who’s to say what team is going to take me after another 400 [touches]? So, like I said, I’ve contemplated on everything I’ve done. … I don’t regret one thing. I’m happy where I’m at and the decision I made.”
Whether you’re looking to get into shape, or just get out of a funk, The Charge has got you covered. Sign up for our new wellness newsletter today.