The Pittsburgh Steelers have had some prolific players throughout the organization's history and during different eras of football. During the most successful decades in the organization's history, the team was led by the players on defense, but that wasn't the case during the 2010s. Pittsburgh had one of the best quarterbacks in the league in Ben Roethlisberger, and arguably the best wide receiver and running back duo in Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell.
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Former Steelers stars Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell during a home game.
Bell was known for his unique running style that made him one of the most dangerous offensive players in the NFL. He was always patient in the backfield, sometimes even coming to a full stop, while reading the defense and his blockers.
This made him dangerous as linebackers couldn't tell where he was going to run, which is something current Pittsburgh linebacker Elandon Roberts spoke about during an appearance on the Breakin' House Rules podcast when asked about the most dangerous player he has gone against.
"I always got to go to earlier in my career with Le'Veon Bell." Roberts said. "Really because his vision, his patience in the hole, he was really like unique in a way. Obviously I play for Pittsburgh so everyone going to say I'm saying it because of that, but I've been saying that since my New England days, my Miami days. Le'Veon Bell is the most difficult running back I went against because of the style of run he had. I like Le'Veon because he never tried to change for anyone."
Bell's time in Pittsburgh didn't end in the best way, but he was always electrifying while taking the field for the Steelers. The running back made three Pro Bowls while in Pittsburgh and was also named an All-Pro three times.
He was a threat as a runner and as a receiving threat, which was part of the reason his time in Pittsburgh ended the way that he did. Bell wanted to be paid as both a receiver and running back, and he felt the organization wasn't offering him what he was worth. Since then, Bell has expressed regret for the way he handled things, and other players have pointed out that it was a bad decision.
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Steelers inside linebacker Elandon Roberts waits for the snap during the team's Week 1 game against the San Francisco 49ers in 2023.
Roberts and Bell squared off against one another twice during the 2016 season while Roberts was with the New England Patriots. Roberts and the New England defense were able to keep Bell relatively contained in both contests. During the regular season, Bell rushed for 81 yards and caught 10 passes for 68 yards, but scored zero touchdowns. The two met again in the AFC Championship Game, and Bell ran for just 20 yards, as he was hurt early in the contest.
The two met again in 2017 and Bell performed much better in this matchup. The running back ran for 117 yards a touchdown while recording 48 receiving yards. The Steelers lost by a score of 27-24.
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Pittsburgh Steelers former running back Le'Veon Bell during a game against the Patriots.
Steelers' Former Running Back Joined Elandon Roberts In The AFC East
Bell and the Steelers had a major contract dispute that resulted in the running back sitting out the entirety of the 2018 season, and he then signed with the New York Jets ahead of the 2019 season. Roberts was still with New England in 2019, but signed with the Miami Dolphins in 2020 to stay in the division. Bell's time with the Jets wasn't nearly as successful as his time in Pittsburgh as the running back lasted less than a season and a half in New York, but he did face off with Roberts twice in 2019.
When the two clashed with Bell in New York, Bell averaged just 52.5 rushing yards per game and didn't record more than 10 receiving yards in either of the contests. This is when Bell's career began to decline, but he is still considered one of the most dangerous players Roberts played against.
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