Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

One of the biggest falling outs in NFL and Pittsburgh Steelers history came with running back Le'Veon Bell. This occurred after Bell decided to hold out and not play in the 2018 season in hopes to get more money from the organization. He declined the franchise tag that the Steelers offered him which was worth $14.5 million. In 2019, he became a free agent and signed with the New York Jets for four years for $52.5 million and $35 million guaranteed. At the time, it made him the second-highest-paid running back in the league.


Bell Regrets His Decision To Leave The Steelers

Bell's time with the Jets was subpar as he recorded a little over 800 yards and three touchdowns during his two seasons with the organization. He ended up getting cut just two games into the 2020 season and would bounce around from team to team until the end of the 2021 season. Bell is currently only 31 years old, which begs the question, will he ever play in the NFL again?

Although he may not, he made it known publicly that he regrets his decision to leave the Steelers. Bell even went to go as far as to issue an apology to Steelers fans for leaving them in 2018. He would say that they are the best fans in the whole world which made it seem like he was trying to recover from any bridge that he burned in the past.

However, the decision for Bell to hold out in 2018 may have never been his choice. Recently on the The Ramon Foster Show, Foster talked about an interesting conversation that he had with Bell's agent. He said he finally admitted what all the fans and coaches had been thinking for years about the situation.

"I met his agent." Foster then said, "He pretty much admitted it was bad advice, that he should have come to camp, and that he hated how it all broke down."

Bell and Foster were teammates throughout Bell's entire time with the Steelers. Foster joined the staff at DK Pittsburgh Sports following his retirement in 2020. It seems like he has known about what happened with Bell and his agent for years now and that Foster has known that Bell's agent made a huge mistake in 2018.

"I knew this, and I have been doing this for years." He then stated, "You all put me on the table to say I was wrong." Foster then said jokingly, "I bet you he has a strong teach tape on what to do and what not to do when it comes to advising his clients."

Bell coming out and apologizing and Foster coming out and saying that his agent told him that he screwed up all comes during a time of controversy in the NFL. Many running backs right now are trying to chase the money like Bell did which could lead to possible holdouts (just like Bell went through). One of the most vocal players for the running backs has been Steelers running back, Najee Harris. He has been very vocal on Twitter retweeting what other running backs have said and has commented his thoughts.

There are currently some big names who didn't get contracts settled like Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs. This makes fans of the NFL wonder if the position's market will change, or if we could potentially lose top talent like Barkley in the league.

So, what do you think, Steeler Nation? Should Bell's story be a wake-up call to the running backs in the league?

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Despite hopes for change, NASCAR championship weekend will return to Phoenix in 2025
Chiefs will achieve something not done since 1927 with 2024 schedule
Caitlin Clark's debut was most-watched WNBA game in more than 20 years
Yankees' Aaron Judge comments on resurgence after bad slump
Odell Beckham Jr. reveals why he was 'hesitant' to join Dolphins
Lakers reportedly interested in adding three-time All-Star via trade
Luka Doncic fed off negative reactions in Game 5 win over Thunder
Celtics finally put away undermanned Cavaliers, advance to conference finals
Avalanche force Game 6 with big third period vs. Stars
MLB announces punishment for Astros' Ronel Blanco over foreign substance
Vikings HC shares big Justin Jefferson contract update
Rafael Nadal switches gears, gives major update on French Open status
DeMar DeRozan confirms desire to return to Bulls
Mavericks defense rises to occasion in Game 5 win vs. Thunder
Steelers to make history in final two months of 2024 season
Packers will play on Thanksgiving with a rare twist in 2024
Steelers veteran reportedly plans to sit out OTAs
Padres pitcher has honest reaction to team getting booed off the field
Athletics place lefty on 15-day IL, transfer infielder to 60-day
Atlanta to be first race of NASCAR's In-Season Tournament

Want more Steelers news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.