Miami Dolphins should not show mutual interest in Le’Veon Bell
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins may be the team that Le’Veon Bell wants to play with if a FanSided report is accurate but the Dolphins should steer way clear of the runner.
According to Matt Verderame of FanSided.com, Pittsburgh Steeler running back Le’Veon Bell, wants to play for the Miami Dolphins in 2019. Verderame cites and unnamed source in his article regarding the surprising rumor.
For the Dolphins, Bell stands for everything that the Miami Dolphins are trying to move away from. A player who gave up $14 million in 2018 to prove a point because he wants to be paid in the $17 million a year range. His decision to leave the Steelers last year divided the locker room against him.
The Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said that the Dolphins have learned their lesson that spending on high-end aging veterans doesn’t work and Bell despite his talent is not getting younger. In addition the Dolphins have zero need for a running back heading into the 2019 season.
Miami has Kenyan Drake, Kalen Balage, and Branden Boldin and could bring back Frank Gore. While none of those four are on the same level as Bell, does it really matter? Miami is going to be retooling or rebuilding or re-branding or re-something with their franchise this year and signing Bell would be a mistake given so many other needs.
Trust me, Bell couldn’t run through the current offensive line.
Verderame explains that the interest in Miami is more likely for self-serving purposes rather than a desire to actually play for the Miami Dolphins. He cites a budding rap career that could be helped by the Miami music scene. He spent all of last season in Miami as well and has a lot of friends in the area according to Verderame.
Truth be told, this sounds more like self-indulgent interest than a desire to play for a specific team and chances are Bell will chase the money before he chases the warm weather and sunshine.