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Le’Veon Bell is not a Raven: 3 big things from free agency drama

By Chris Schisler

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 10: Le'Veon Bell #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs upfield after a catch for a 20 yard touchdown reception in the first quarter during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on December 10, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 10: Le'Veon Bell #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs upfield after a catch for a 20 yard touchdown reception in the first quarter during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on December 10, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – SEPTEMBER 13: An end zone marker with the New York Jets logo on sits on the field at the New Meadowlands Stadium on September 13, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – SEPTEMBER 13: An end zone marker with the New York Jets logo on sits on the field at the New Meadowlands Stadium on September 13, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

3. Bell drama was a bit much all for nothing:

Ravens fans who were clinging onto the notion that their team was a finalist for Bell are having a rough morning. They wanted a play-maker. They’re starved for a difference maker. Inside “The Castle” things may have been calm. They may not have even really entertained the idea of really going for Bell. In the fanbase, nothing was calm.

Even for fans who didn’t want Bell to come to Baltimore, this was a bit much. They were put through a day of nervously refreshing their Twitter feed and waiting for news that got dragged out for what seemed like forever, only to have the most obvious end to the whole ordeal imaginable.

Bell, who released a rap album on his Twitter feed overnight, was playing a game that the Ravens couldn’t win even if they played. For all the talk of coming to Baltimore, sticking it to the Steelers and all that, it was always about the contract. If Bell wanted to be a Raven he could have been, but it looks like the Ravens didn’t want to be toyed with.

Next. Ravens lose C.J. Mosley and Za'Darius Smith to free agency. dark

The almost comical thing is Bell got a big payday but it wasn’t the huge sum he was hoping for. Bell is set to make an average of $13 million per season and he did get $32 million guaranteed. Bell got the security of a four-year contract with a good bit of promised money, but he sat out a season for more than this. He could have made $14.5 million for playing last season under the franchise tag. Bell made it seem like he wanted more than this. It’s an incredible pay-day however you look at it. In the end Bell is with the Jets and the debating over Bell as a target for the Ravens is over. It was all a lot and it was all overblown.

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