KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Le’Veon Bell signed with the Chiefs last Thursday, but he wasn’t allowed in the team facility until passing a series of COVID-19 tests, per NFL protocol.
He found himself on a couch Monday watching Kansas City dismantle the Buffalo Bills along with the rest of the city.
“This is unbelievable,” Bell said he remembered thinking during the game speaking with reporters Wednesday via videoconference.
Until last Tuesday, Bell played for the New York Jets, a winless team with an anemic offense — one of three in the NFL averaging fewer than 300 yards per game in 2020.
Now, Bell joins a team ranked third in the league in total offense and sixth in rushing yards per game, a refreshing change for the former two-time All-Pro running back.
“I think this offense is really fit for my skill set,” Bell said. “Coach (Andy) Reid does a great job of getting backs the ball in space, so I’m just glad I got this opportunity. ... I’m going to come in and fit in where I can, and just try to make some plays.”
After being released by the Jets, Bell, who emerged as a bonafide star during five seasons in Pittsburgh from 2013-17, had no shortage of suitors. But the chance to chase a Super Bowl with the defending champs and play for Reid attracted him to Kansas City.
“When I had the opportunity, once I was a free agent, talking to Coach Reid ... it was just kind of undeniable to try to come here, help this team any ways I could help them out,” Bell said. “The opportunity to play for Coach Reid is going to be magnificent for me.”
Bell noted that’s never played with a former MVP, so he’s excited to line up with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who won NFL MVP in 2018.
“It’s going to be fun,” Bell said. “A lot of weapons, so it’s going to be fun for me.”
Bell sat out the 2018 season in a contract dispute with the Steelers. He led the league with 321 carries and 406 total touches in 2017, but Pittsburgh balked at giving him a long-term deal.
He signed a four-year deal worth $52.5 million before the 2019 season with the Jets but clashed with coach Adam Gase and ultimately was released, a history that didn’t trouble the Chiefs.
“Brett doesn’t let anything slide, so he checks into everything and we obviously know people in this small fraternity in this league, so we felt like he will fit in fine,” Reid said.
Bell didn’t offer any specifics about why things didn’t work out in New York, but he said he’s been thrilled with the reception in Kansas City.
“There’s been a lot of excitement — from the coaching staff to the players, fans — they really embraced me being here, and I loved it,” Bell said. “I loved everything about it. I really feel like everybody welcomed me here with open arms, and this is really a relief.”
A welcome relief for Bell, who is 641 scrimmage yards shy of 10,000 for his career and eager to carve out a role in one of the NFL’s most dynamic offenses.
“Coming here, I don’t really feel pressured about anything,” Bell said. “I just want to come here, be happy and play football. People are allowing me to do that, so I feel like I’m in a great spot, a great place. I’m eager. I’m ready to roll. ... Getting on a great team with a great coaching staff, I can just reinvent myself.”
Mahomes was giddy at the prospect of working Bell into the Chiefs’ high-octane offense.
“In the locker room, we’re extremely excited,” Mahomes said, noting that the addition of Bell fits with the Chiefs’ culture of “bringing in great players and bringing in competition.”
“Obviously, he’s a mismatch coming out of the backfield,” he added. “The way he’s able to run routes, the way he’s able to split out and basically be another receiver out there — it’s pretty special, and he’s going to get a lot of matchups that I don’t think he’s had recently.”
Bell’s role Sunday at Denver remains in flux.
The biggest challenge, he said, is learning the Chiefs’ terminology — things like the word construction of play calls and how Kansas City refers to pass protections.
Bell and the Chiefs will get some clarity on what kind of workload he’s ready for during the coming days.
“He’ll get in there at practice, and we’ll see how it goes,” Reid said.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who ran for 161 yards and averaged more than six yards per carry in the 26-17 win Monday in Buffalo, remains Kansas City’s starter.
“Clyde, my hat goes off to him,” Reid said. “He was phenomenal, (but) it doesn’t hurt to have a running mate or two. We’re lucky to have a nice group of running backs now.”
