Le'Veon expects boos in 1st game vs. Steelers

Le'Veon Bell is prepared for a fair share of boos Sunday when the New York Jets host the Pittsburgh Steelers and their fans at MetLife Stadium.

"It'll probably be 50-50," the running back said Thursday, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini. "I think half will be happy to see me and still love me, and half that hates me, despises me. It is what it is. I'm going to show love, regardless. Anybody who's wearing my jersey, I'll go sign it. It's going to be fun."

Bell spent the first five seasons of his career with the Steelers before sitting out the sixth due to his refusal to sign the franchise tag for the second year in a row.

The 27-year-old earned three Pro Bowl nods with the Steelers while serving as one-third of the "Killer Bees" alongside quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and wide receiver Antonio Brown.

"It's going to be packed with Steeler fans," he said. "When we played the Raiders, there were a lot of Raider fans and it was loud. I think it'll be the same as that, if not more. Steeler fans travel well. I definitely know that."

Bell inked a four-year, $52.5-million contract - $35 million guaranteed - with the Jets in free agency. He hasn't enjoyed the same type of success in his new threads, averaging a dismal 3.3 yards per carry on a squad that is nowhere near playoff contention with a record of 5-9. Bell reached the postseason four times in five years with the Steelers.

"I'm happy where I'm at," he said. "The way things are going, obviously it's not ideal with the way our record is. But like I said in Week 2, Week 3, this is kind of like rebuilding. I want to be a part of it and see it grow."

Despite the contentious contract negotiations that led to his departure from Pittsburgh, Bell told reporters he doesn't feel any animosity toward his former team.