What Happened to Le'Veon Andrew Bell Sr.?
Le'Veon Bell is an American professional boxer and former NFL running back, best known for his Pro Bowl career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. His NFL career was significantly impacted by a contract holdout in 2018, leading to a decline in performance across multiple teams before he transitioned to professional boxing in 2022, where he continues to compete and train as of 2026.
Quick Answer
Le'Veon Bell, a former All-Pro NFL running back, transitioned to professional boxing after his football career concluded in 2021. Following a contentious contract holdout with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2018, his NFL performance declined across stints with the New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. As of May 2026, Bell is actively pursuing his boxing career, training in Pennsylvania, and has recently agreed to a fight with Logan Paul.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Drafted by Pittsburgh Steelers
Le'Veon Bell was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round (48th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft.
First Pro Bowl and All-Pro Selection
Bell broke out in his second NFL season, totaling over 2,200 combined yards, earning his first Pro Bowl selection and First-team All-Pro honors.
Plays under Franchise Tag, Earns Second All-Pro
Bell played the 2017 season under the franchise tag, leading the league in carries and earning his second First-team All-Pro selection and third Pro Bowl.
Sits Out Entire Season Due to Contract Dispute
Refusing to sign a second franchise tag, Bell sat out the entire 2018 NFL season in a highly publicized contract dispute with the Steelers.
Signs with New York Jets
Bell signed a four-year, $52.5 million contract with the New York Jets, but his performance never reached his previous Steelers levels.
Released by Jets, Joins Chiefs
After less than two seasons, Bell was released by the New York Jets and subsequently signed a one-year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Signs with Baltimore Ravens
Bell was signed to the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad, later playing in five games before being released.
Joins Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bell signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, reuniting with former Steelers teammates, for his final NFL stint.
Announces Focus on Boxing, Hints at NFL Retirement
Bell announced he would not play in the NFL in 2022 and would solely focus on his "new sport" of boxing, effectively ending his football career.
Defeats Adrian Peterson by TKO in Exhibition Boxing Match
In a highly anticipated exhibition bout, Bell defeated fellow former NFL running back Adrian Peterson via TKO.
Expresses Regret Over Steelers Exit
Bell publicly stated his regret over how his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers ended, calling his decision to sit out 2018 "a little petty," and expressed a desire to retire as a Steeler.
Considers NFL Comeback, Only for Steelers
Bell indicated he was considering an NFL comeback for the 2024 season, stating he would only play for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Posts Cryptic Social Media Messages
Bell sparked concern with a series of cryptic social media posts about staying out of prison and the cost of discipline, without further explanation.
Agrees to Boxing Match with Logan Paul
It was reported that Le'Veon Bell agreed to terms for a boxing match against Logan Paul, marking his sixth overall fight.
Reflects on 2018 Holdout, Cites GM History
Bell provided further insight into his 2018 holdout, suggesting a deal could have been reached if current Steelers GM Omar Khan had been in charge, due to a prior dispute between his agent and former GM Kevin Colbert.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Le'Veon Andrew Bell Sr. rose to prominence as one of the NFL's most dynamic running backs, drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He quickly established himself as a dual-threat player, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections and First-team All-Pro honors by 2017, setting a franchise record for yards from scrimmage.
The turning point in Bell's career came with a prolonged contract dispute with the Steelers. After playing the 2017 season under the franchise tag, he sought a long-term deal with guaranteed money. When the Steelers placed the franchise tag on him again in 2018, Bell refused to sign it and sat out the entire season, a decision he has since expressed regret over, calling it "a little petty." Bell believes a deal could have been reached if the current General Manager, Omar Khan, had been in charge at the time, citing a history of dispute between his agent and former GM Kevin Colbert.
Following his holdout, Bell signed a lucrative four-year, $52.5 million contract with the New York Jets in 2019, but he never regained his elite form. His time with the Jets was short-lived, and he was released in 2020. He then had brief stints with the Kansas City Chiefs (2020), Baltimore Ravens (2021), and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2021), but his production significantly dropped, and he last played in the NFL in 2021.
In 2022, Bell officially stepped away from football to pursue a career in professional boxing, stating he was "excited for the next chapter." He has since participated in several exhibition and professional bouts, including a notable TKO victory over fellow former NFL player Adrian Peterson. Bell has expressed serious dedication to boxing, aiming to be among the best.
As of May 2026, Le'Veon Bell continues to be active in the boxing world. He trains in southwestern Pennsylvania and is building momentum for future fights. In March 2026, it was reported that Bell agreed to terms on a boxing match with influencer and professional wrestler Logan Paul, which would be his sixth fight overall and fourth professional bout, holding a 4-1 record (including exhibitions). Bell has also recently commented on the Steelers' offseason moves and his past contract dispute, indicating he still follows the NFL. In late 2025, he posted cryptic messages on social media about staying out of prison and the cost of discipline, sparking concern among fans about his well-being.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Le'Veon Andrew Bell Sr. made different choices?