It has been seven weeks since Le’Veon Bell first suited up to play a game for the Kansas City Chiefs. Since that first game, he’s recorded 41 carries for 162 yards and one touchdown, adding 11 receptions on 13 targets for 76 yards.
It has been an adjustment for Bell in Kansas City, he’s no longer the bell-cow running back that he was with the Pittsburgh Steelers or even the New York Jets. He’s sharing the backfield with rookie RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire and veteran RB Darrel Williams. Bell has persevered in his new situation and he’s progressing in the Chiefs’ system nicely. He seemingly has earned a new fan — Chiefs coach Andy Reid.
“I love that kid,” Reid said of Bell. “It’s a weird situation because he’s a heck of a football player … and he’s highly intelligent, but you have to actually get in there and get to know your offensive linemen, get to know the run schemes. Because they’re a little bit different than maybe what he’s been doing.”
Bell is still learning the nuances in the Kansas City run game, but he’s making strides on a weekly basis. In Week 14, Bell averaged over 10 yards per attempt on limited carries. Had the game gone differently, it’s possible the Chiefs would have seen an even greater helping of Bell running the ball.
“I thought last week, boy, he had a couple of very sweet runs, and just how things worked out, it didn’t work out where he had enough carries,” Reid said. “That’s not because we’re disappointed in him at all. I mean, he’s been tremendous.”
Bell is carving out an important role on the offense and so long as he stays diligent, he’ll have more opportunities to make an impact. What he’s accomplished so far has Reid wishing the team could have landed him back when he was a free agent ahead of the 2019 season.
“I wish we would’ve had him earlier, but I’m glad we have him now,” Reid said. “He’s top-notch, and I’m a big fan of his.”
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