Pittsburgh Steelers: 15 best running backs in franchise history
By Randy Gurzi
55. . RB. (2013-17). Le'Veon Bell. 3. player
Greatest running backs in Pittsburgh Steelers history: #3. Le’Veon Bell
Had Le’Veon Bell and the Steelers been able to come to terms on a contract extension in 2017, he would have easily finished as the best running back to ever play for the team.
Even with him holding out the entire 2018 NFL season and eventually leaving the team, he still goes down as the most talented to ever play for them — but he just didn’t do enough to pass the names ahead of him.
That being said, Bell is arguably the most versatile running back in the NFL, which is why he felt he had the right to more security in his deal — and he wound up getting that this offseason with the New York Jets. Bell joined the Steelers out of Michigan State in 2013, quickly showing off his abilities as both a runner and a receiver.
He started 13 games but didn’t top the 1,000-yard mark. However, as a sophomore, he ended up not only doing that, but he finished with 2,215 total yards from scrimmage. He also made his first Pro Bowl for Pittsburgh.
Unfortunately, that was also the last time he played all 16 games in a season. In 2015, he started out the season suspended and ended up injuring his knee which caused him to miss all but six games. He returned to form in 2016 and made the Pro Bowl that season, as well as the next in 2017.
In all, Bell had 5,336 yards with 35 touchdowns with the Steelers. That was enough to put him fourth all time in rushing yardage and third all time in rushing touchdowns. He’s also 20th in receiving yards with 2,660, which is the most by a running back for the team.