Bell doesn't regret skipping season, feels in best shape of his life

Le'Veon Bell has finally put pen to paper on a contract that will allow the two-time All-Pro running back to return to football with the New York Jets.

Speaking on a conference call with Jets media on Thursday night, Bell insisted he has no regrets about his oft-criticized decision to sit out the entire 2018 season rather than sign a second consecutive one-year franchise tag with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"I think the decision I made was (one) I'd do all over again. I don't regret anything that happened. Who can say what would happen? If I go out and play on a one-year franchise tag, if I get hurt would I be in this position today?" Bell said, according to Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.

"The fact that I took last year off, it sucked having to watch football, but at the same time in December and January, it was the best my body felt in my entire life," he added.

With the freedom to sign with the team of his choosing, Bell said everything seemed to line up for a move to New York.

"When the season ended, the stars kind of aligned for the Jets. It was my favorite team growing up. They needed an RB. Everyone was talking about it. In my head, that's where I wanted to go," he said.

Hoping to allay concerns about his playing shape, the 6-foot-1, 225-pounder said he's been working out five days a week since December and expects to be in football shape for OTAs.

The addition of Bell should bolster a Jets running game that finished 26th in 2018, and it's expected to do wonders for franchise quarterback Sam Darnold.

"I'm looking forward to being ... his security blanket," Bell said, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.