Le’Veon Bell of the Steelers Felt Angered by How Andy Reid of the Chiefs Let Him Down

Scarlett MLast Updated: September 28, 2023

In 2023, former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell has undergone a change of heart. He has been openly expressing remorse for his departure from Pittsburgh and feeling regretful about letting down the fans who supported him. Additionally, he is now asserting that Super Bowl-winning coach Andy Reid misled him, which he believes played a part in his struggles to find a suitable team.

During his six seasons with the Steelers, Le’Veon Bell achieved significant accolades, including three Pro Bowl selections and two All-Pro honors. He emerged as the indispensable cornerstone of the Steelers’ offense, forming a formidable trio known as the “Killer B’s” alongside quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and receiver Antonio Brown.

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Le’Veon Bell

However, Bell’s sentiment took a downturn in his final seasons with Pittsburgh as he felt his compensation did not reflect his on-field contributions. He believed that the team would eventually rectify this financial disparity, but that didn’t materialize. Reflecting on this, he now acknowledges that the Steelers were upfront with him about his contract, while another one of his former teams may not have been as forthright.

Le’Veon Bell, formerly of the Steelers, has expressed that he believes Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid misled him. In a recent appearance on the podcast “It Is What It Is,” Bell discussed his departure from the Steelers and admitted to some errors in judgment he made with other teams. During the podcast, he addressed the decision to turn down a $14 million offer from Pittsburgh and how he subsequently appeared to earn less with the New York Jets in the following season. This series of events ultimately led him to join the Kansas City Chiefs.

When the Steelers showed reluctance to engage in further negotiations or meet him halfway, Le’Veon Bell felt a sense of disrespect. The New York Jets, on the other hand, were willing to offer him guaranteed money, and he opted for financial security. His primary objective was to join New York and demonstrate his capabilities on the field. Regrettably, he soon realized that the journey wouldn’t be as straightforward as he had hoped.

Le’Veon Bell experienced another disappointment in Kansas City, where he felt that he didn’t quite fit in. He believed that the team was utilizing him incorrectly, and the intended synergy was not materializing as he had envisioned. Bell expressed his frustration, especially because he had been eagerly looking forward to playing alongside talents like Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, and Travis Kelce, under the coaching of Andy Reid.

One of the key attractions for Bell was Reid’s reputation as an offensive-minded coach, something he hadn’t experienced before. Bell candidly described the situation, stating that Reid had painted a rosy picture of the offensive possibilities upon his arrival. However, in Bell’s view, there was a stark contrast between what Reid had promised and what actually transpired.

Bell believed that his reputation had been somewhat tarnished as he left Pittsburgh and the Jets, and he didn’t want to be perceived as a “diva.” Consequently, he chose to keep his concerns to himself, even though he saw ways in which he could contribute to the team. In retrospect, Bell acknowledges that constantly changing teams in search of an ideal situation was not a wise move. He now realizes that he should have committed to staying in one place for a few years. Looking back, he understands that he was chasing after the vision Reid had initially presented, but after feeling let down, he struggled to fully embrace it.