Free-agent running back Le’Veon Bell would not consider returning to the Kansas City Chiefs as long as Andy Reid remains the head coach, the former All-Pro said in an Instagram comment.
“I’d never play for Andy Reid again,” Bell said in a comment posted Saturday. “… I’d retire first.”
Bell, 29, joined the Chiefs last October after being released by the New York Jets less than two years into a four-year, $52.5 million contract. He played in nine games for the Chiefs, starting two, and rushed for 254 yards and two touchdowns while adding 13 receptions for 99 yards.
He played only 11 snaps, logging two carries for 6 yards, in the Chiefs’ first playoff game. He did not play in the AFC Championship Game or Kansas City’s Super Bowl loss to Tampa Bay.
On Sunday night, Bell tweeted that he didn’t regret what he said, but that the only thing he would change is sharing his true feelings on social media. He added he loved his time in Kansas City and said the Chiefs had “probably the closest locker room full of players I ever been around.”
“I’m not about to get all into depth on why I feel the way I do, but I have my right to feel the way I feel…the ONLY thing I would change is commenting how i really felt on social media…” Bell wrote.
He added: “I’ll admit that’s somethin I could’ve and should’ve kept to myself & I apologize about that and that only… but I don’t regret what I said, because that’s how I feel…”
Since his second career first-team All-Pro selection with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2017, Bell has a total of 1,117 rushing yards and five touchdowns in 26 games. He sat out the entire 2018 season in a contract dispute.
