Mistake? What mistake?
Despite numbers, Le’Veon Bell says holding out wasn’t a mistake.
“The decision I made is the decision I would do all over again. I don’t regret anything that happened.” — Le’Veon Bell
NEW YORK — Le’Veon Bell is leaving all the number crunching to the critics.
The star running back slept soundly after finally making his long-awaited decision on where to restart his NFL career when he agreed to a four-year, $52.5 million deal with the New York Jets.
“The Jets were kind of the team I had in the back of my mind where I wanted to go,” Bell said during a conference call Thursday after signing the contract. “So, you know, once the numbers made sense to me, it wasn’t really a hard decision. I made the decision and I’m happy with the decision I made.
“Today, I woke up feeling amazing. So, I’m happy with where I stand.”
The deal, which reportedly includes $25 million in guarantees, had some wondering if he might have made a mistake by sitting out all last season after declining a five-year, $70 million offer from the Steelers, then refusing to sign his $14.5 million franchise tag.
Bell gambled on himself and took a chance — one he’s content with, regardless of whether some think he overplayed his hand and shortchanged himself.
“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 there and play on a one-year franchise tag and I do get hurt, do I end up in this position today, being with the New York Jets on a beautiful deal?
“Even on the other side of it, if I go out there and play on the franchise tag and I get another 400 carries ... and I come out of the season healthy, who’s to say what team is going to take me after another 400 carries? So, like I said, I’ve contemplated everything I’ve done . ... I don’t regret one thing. I’m happy where I’m at and the decision I made and I’m glad I’m here.”
After all, Bell had dreams of the Jets as a kid.
He grew up in Groveport, Ohio, in a house full of Steelers fans, but his favorite player was Jets running back Curtis Martin. From afar, he wanted to be just like Martin, a playmaker who could change games in an instant on his way to a Hall of Fame career.
Turns out, Bell has carved out quite an impressive career of his own. He rushed for 5,336 yards and 35 touchdowns in five seasons for Pittsburgh, and caught 312 passes for 2,660 yards and seven scores as one of the most versatile and dangerous offensive players in the NFL. His 128.9 yards from scrimmage per game over his career is the best mark in the NFL since the 1970 merger.
And, now, he’ll be able to get back on the field and make his mark for the team Martin once carried.
“When the season ended, it was kind of like all the stars kind of aligned to the Jets,” Bell said. “I’m glad we made it happen and everything worked out.”
Oh, and those comments over a year ago when Bell shot down a fan who jokingly offered him $60 million to play for the Jets, or when he said during last year’s Super Bowl that it would take $100 million for him to come to New York?
Well, that was then. “I mean, that was just me being on Twitter and TMZ talking,” Bell said with a chuckle. “That’s all that was. The situation I’m in right now, I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.”
Bell’s arrival comes at a time when the Jets are building around second-year quarterback Sam Darnold, who showed promise as a rookie as well as the typical ups and downs young signal callers deal with early in their careers.
But Bell, like many others, saw some promise in Darnold — and is excited about helping the youngster grow and thrive — and win — in the NFL.
“I’m just looking forward to coming in and being, you know, sort of his security blanket, a guy he can rely on,” said Bell, who acknowledged that Darnold was “absolutely” a major factor in