Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell is having a good season, but it may have escaped notice in some quarters just how good a season.
Bell has been overshadowed for much of the year by DeMarco Murray, who is widely regarded as the league’s top running back this season. But Bell’s numbers really are extraordinary: He has 262 carries for 1,278 yards and seven touchdowns, plus 76 catches for 765 yards and three more touchdowns receiving. Amazingly, Bell has done all that without fumbling even once.
How rare is that? If Bell doesn’t fumble in the last two games of the year, he’ll join Marshall Faulk in 2000 and Barry Sanders in 1994 as the only players in NFL history to finish a season with 2,000 yards from scrimmage and zero fumbles.
As a result, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger believes Bell should be getting recognition as the league’s Most Valuable Player.
“Bell is having an MVP-caliber season,” Roethlisberger said on 93.7 The Fan.
Roethlisberger is right: Bell has been outstanding. Although Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been widely viewed as the MVP favorite this year, and Patriots quarterback Tom Brady would probably be the next choice in the eyes of most MVP voters, Bell shouldn’t be overlooked. If he has two more big games and carries the Steelers into the playoffs, Bell deserves to be considered an MVP candidate. He’s having an amazing year.