Now, there is a rumor — and we stress rumor — from Chris Mortensen of ESPN that the 49ers might be interested in former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell. The New York Jets, however, are still viewed as the clear favorites to land him. Evan Silva of Rotoworld reported the chatter from Mortensen.
There was a report in September that both the 49ers and Jets made an "exploratory call" to the Steelers regarding Bell. Nothing came of that report.
"The Jets and 49ers have also made exploratory calls, though nothing has advanced beyond a preliminary stage and San Francisco's interest is likely mitigated by the season-ending injury to quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo," wrote Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports in September.
Bell, who played college football at Michigan State, was a second-round draft pick by the Steelers in 2013. During his five NFL seasons (2013-17), he has been selected to the Pro Bowl three times (2014, 2016, 2017) and named first-team All-Pro twice (2014, 2017).
Bell held out during the entire 2018 season and will become a free agent on Wednesday. He has posted 1,200-or-more yards in three of his last four seasons played. In 2014, he rushed for 1,361 yards on 290 carries and eight touchdowns. In 2016, Bell rushed for 1,268 yards on 261 carries and seven touchdowns. 2017 saw him rush for 1,291 yards on 321 carries and nine touchdowns.
A suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy and a season-ending MCL tear shortened Bell's 2015 season to just six games.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Rumor: 49ers among teams still interested in trading for Maxx Crosby
Could the San Francisco 49ers make a move for star pass rusher Maxx Crosby? The Las Vegas Raiders attempted to trade Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens earlier this offseason, but the deal ultimately fell apart after Baltimore backed out. The 49ers have frequently been mentioned... -
NFL execs: 49ers could use in-season Mac Jones trade to bolster roster
The San Francisco 49ers never seriously entertained the idea of trading quarterback Mac Jones, especially after he stepped in for an injured Brock Purdy last season and helped keep the offense on track. However, with Jones entering the final year of his contract, 2026 could... -
49ers go in a different direction in 2025 NFL Draft do-over
The San Francisco 49ers used the No. 11 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on defensive lineman Mykel Williams. While Williams flashed potential during his rookie season, his early development took a setback when he suffered a torn ACL, ending his campaign... -
49ers game manager? Alex Smith pushes back on Brock Purdy narrative
No matter what Brock Purdy accomplishes, there always seem to be critics ready to dismiss his success by claiming he's simply a product of the San Francisco 49ers' system. The "game manager" label has followed the 26-year-old quarterback throughout much of his NFL career. One...