Bell really misread his market and leverage. I understand why he took the stance he took, but there were two things working against him that he didn't anticipate. First, he didn't realize that his start-and-stop running style worked because he and Pittsburgh's O-line were in sync. He had the perfect setup to succeed with the Steelers. Secondly, he had to know that a player digging in on a contract dispute the way he did was going to be seen as insubordination by other teams' ownership groups. The NFL still has a very plantation-based mindset when it comes to its players asserting control over their futures and there was no way they were going to let him come out ahead.

Then, landing with the Jests with a smaller deal than he was offered was the worst possible outcome for him.