Part 6/8:
The tension between Bell and the Steelers culminated in a holdout during the 2018 season after the team franchise-tagged him again. This marked a critical juncture in his career; Bell opted to sit out the entire season instead of playing under a franchise tag he considered inadequate. The decision impacted not only his standing with the team but also his performance and durability as a player.
In 2019, Bell signed a lucrative contract with the New York Jets, hoping for a fresh start. However, injuries and the lingering effects of his long layoff diminished his impact significantly. His performance in subsequent seasons with the Jets and Kansas City Chiefs was far from his peak levels, raising questions about what had happened to the once-indomitable back.