Bell sacrificed stats in KC to try for Super Bowl victory with Chiefs. And he’s so close.
Because he’s preparing for his first Super Bowl, Le’veon Bell is more than satisfied with the decision he knew would cost him in terms of personal productivity.
In his first six seasons, when he played at least 12 games, Bell was his team’s leading rusher. That happened four times in Pittsburgh and last season with the New York Jets.
But missing from Bell’s resumé was a Super Bowl appearance. It wasn’t going to happen in New York any time soon. So, after an October game against the Arizona Cardinals, Bell liked a tweet that suggested the Jets trade him. The Jets started looking around, found no partners and then released him.
“The next two days were the toughest,” Bell said of deciding between the three teams that showed the most interest in him: the Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills. “I was torn between how much of a workload I actually wanted and winning.”
The Chiefs landed him, a proactive move for a National Football League team that had lost Damien Williams to a COVID-19 opt-out this season, and, for the first time since he could remember, Bell wasn’t the primary back. Rookie Clyde Edwards-helaire was off to a fast start, and Darrel Williams got his share of attempts, too.
Bell’s best game came in the Chiefs’ victory at New Orleans, when he rushed for 62 yards and a touchdown.
“My whole career I’ve been kind of like the guy who got spelled every now and then,” Bell said. “This is the first year I’ve been part of a running back-by-committee thing. It’s been different, something I’ve been adjusted to.”
Edwards-helaire leads the Chiefs with 803 rushing yards. Bell is second in average yards per game at 28.2. He’s been nursing a knee injury and wasn’t active for the AFC Championship Game against the Bills. He’s listed on the Super Bowl injury report as a limited participant but is expected to be available against Tampa Bay on Sunday.
The Chiefs’ locker room confirmed to Bell he’d made the right call in choosing to come to K.C.
“When I first got here, one of the first things I noticed was how close the locker room was,” Bell said. “There’d be a D-lineman coming up and talking to Patrick Mahomes like they’re best friends. It doesn’t really matter who it is, talking to whoever. It’s kind of like a family here.
“That’s me, more of my culture — outgoing guy having fun in the locker room — and that’s what these guys do here. Don’t get me wrong, we handle business. But we have fun doing it. This is definitely one of the most bonded and well-put-together units I’ve been a part of.”
It starts with Mahomes. Bell has not played against the Chiefs quarterback but said practices were an eye-opening experience.
“People see the throws he makes in games,” Bell said. “I wish you could see the throws he makes in practice. I thought he was about a 10 before I came here. Now, I think he’s probably a 12.”
A few of those throws in the Super Bowl could help Bell achieve the ultimate prize.
“I came here to get to this game, and I’m here,” Bell said. “I’ve played this game for so long and everybody who has played this game should try to get here, and win it.”