The franchise tag. I’ve never been the biggest fan of it for obvious reasons, especially when you’ve been nothing but productive for years. Le’Veon Bell was given the franchise tag in 2017 and put together a very productive season. After the 2017 season, he said in the off-season that he would retire and contemplate sitting out if he was tagged again by the Steelers. The Steelers did eventually tag him again and he continued to hold out even into the regular season. He had until November 13th, 2018 to report to the franchise and didn’t which made him ineligible to play last season. In February, the Steelers announced that they wouldn’t tag Bell which would make him a free agent. So, where would he end up? When the 2019 season comes around, Le’Veon Bell will be suiting up for the New York Jets after signing a four-year deal.
When his head is in the game and he’s focused, he’s by far the best all-around running back in the NFL today. You name it, he can do it. I’ve referred to him as the “human joystick” because of the moves he displays. When he has the football in his hands, all eyes are on him. You also never know what will happen when he has the ball. He’s the type of player that makes you say wow each time you see him. To be honest, I’ve never seen a running back like him before. The first thing that stands out of course is the patience he displays. He lets his lanes open, watches for a few more seconds, then he attacks and goes to get his yards. When you think he’s going one way, he plants that foot down, cuts on a dime and goes the completely opposite way. He’s so difficult to bring down because of the elusiveness he shows in open space. He’s not just a speedster when he runs. I’ll never forget a run he made against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2017. He got the ball, made his moves, but what I remember specifically about this play was the stiff-arm he gave to Dre Kirkpatrick. We can rave about his patience as we should, but he’ll also run you over, so contact doesn’t faze him. He’s a real-life player that you’d create on Madden.
I know the Jets were in the running to sign him, but I thought he’d end up going to a contender. I even saw the Ravens had interested him which would’ve made things very interesting had he decided to go there. Earlier in the week, I was asked who was a sleeper team that could swoop in and sign him? I said the Kansas City Chiefs which would’ve been ideal for him. I think he would’ve been that piece to put them over the hump in the AFC. He wanted to get paid, he got it. Let’s see how this all pans out for him.
