Le'Veon Bell says he will try to return to the NFL and is only interested in playing for one team.
The running back, who has not played in the NFL since 2021 and has embarked on a boxing career in recent years, expressed his intentions to return to the NFL. in a series of Snapchat videos posted Friday night.
Bell, who turns 32 later this month, said he will begin training for his return in March, and while he didn't mention the only team he would play for, it's clear he's referring to the Pittsburgh Steelers based on his previous comments.
“And I'm going to be honest with myself, I have to go out and say: I'm going to put my foot down. Am I sorry? Does it hurt? Can I go out and really play? And brother, I'm telling you right now, when I go out to train in March and if I make it to April and make the decision to play in the NFL again, mark my words: I will be better than I ever was.
“And I'm just coming back for that team. You all know who it is. I don't have to say there's no team. You all know who it is.”
The Steelers seem set to run with Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren under contract, so it's unknown if they would have interest in a reunion.
Bell had a rocky exit, sitting out the 2018 season after refusing to sign his franchise tag. But last year, in a video posted to social media, he apologized to Steelers fans.
“I never apologized to the fans for not participating or leaving the Steelers,” Bell said in the video. “I never apologized. So I want to apologize for leaving the best damn fans there is in this damn world. I shouldn't have left. I apologize, I should never have left. I apologize. It's my fault. That's on me.”
Bell was a three-time Pro Bowl selection, a two-time first-team All-Pro with the Steelers and ranks fourth in franchise history with 5,336 rushing yards. However, after missing the 2018 season, he never regained that form. He signed with the New York Jets as a free agent in 2019 before being released the following season and playing for three other teams in 2020 and 2021.
He said last year on the “Steel Here” podcast that joining the Jets made him realize that “head coaches make a big difference” and made him appreciate Mike Tomlin's impact on the Steelers.
In 2022, he faced running back Adrian Peterson in a boxing match and scored a fifth-round TKO.
