Veteran NFL running back Joique Bell was released by the Detroit Lions on Tuesday, but not before the team made him an offer to stick around.
On Saturday night, Bell hinted to reporters that the Lions asked him to take a pay cut.
“The NFL is a crazy business,” he said, per Justin Rogers of MLive.com. “You never know. The Lions made me an offer. I thought I did what was best for my career. I ended up declining the offer.”
Bell was with the Lions for four seasons, leading the team in rushing in 2014 with 880 yards. He played sparingly in 2015, carrying the ball just 90 times for 311 yards and four touchdowns.
By cutting Bell, Detroit saved $2.5 million against the 2016 salary cap. The 29-year-old said he has no hard feelings toward the organization.
“There’s no bad blood between me and the Lions,” Bell said. “They did what was best for the organization and I did what I thought was best for my family. You never know, I might end up back with the Lions, but I owe it to my family, I owe it to myself, I owe it to my hard work and dedication to test the market, so that’s what I’m doing.”
The Lions wanted Bell to take less money, and it sounds like they left the door open for him to return if he is unable to find a suitor on the open market. If you remember what Jim Caldwell said about running the ball before last season, it’s clear his team fell short of its goal. The Lions can only hope this dynamic playmaker takes a huge step forward in 2016.
Photo: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
