WATCH: Jets' Le'Veon Bell inspired to make Steelers regret their decision
Le'Veon Bell is a man on a mission. The New York Jets running back wants to remind the league he's still elite while helping the franchise return to the postseason.
After sitting out the entire 2018 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers due to a contract dispute, the three-time Pro Bowler will make his Jets debut in the regular season opener vs. the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 8.
Bell refused to play under the franchise tag for a second consecutive season with the Steelers. As a result, Bell signed a four-year/$52.5 million contract with the Jets. Now he's using the Steelers as a source of motivation.
"I'm thinking I'm going to show everybody," Bell said to USA Today's Lorenzo Reyes. "I'm going to show people that, look, Pittsburgh had something special and they let it go. That's what I'm going to go out there and do."
The versatile Bell has amassed 5,336 rushing yards, 2,660 receiving yards and 42 total touchdowns during his career. Bell scoffs at the outside perception of the Jets and is ready to prove the doubters wrong.
"It didn’t work out in Pittsburgh. I’m out of Pittsburgh," Bell said to USA Today. "And now I’m in a new city, a new team, and a lot of people haven’t even given us a chance cause they don’t like our roster. They think we don’t have the talent."
The Jets have the capability to be dynamic on offense with Bell and quarterback Sam Darnold as anchors. Defensively, the Jets will be guided by Pro Bowlers Jamal Adams and C.J. Mosley.
All in all, Bell isn't concerned with what the detractors say about him or the Jets. He's completely at peace with his holdout decision and determined to leave a lasting legacy with Gang Green.
“I would do everything the same,” Bell said to USA Today. “I wouldn’t change a thing.”
