Would the Detroit Lions signing Le’Veon Bell make sense?

Now we all need to remember that the Steelers have already professed that signing Bell is their top priority. Something they may very well accomplish which would mean that this wouldn’t even be an option for Detroit, but let’s play the ‘what if’ game for a moment and imagine that Bell, an alumnus of Michigan State University and a midwesterner by birth (Reynoldsburg, Ohio), was actually available at the advent of free agency and interested in the Lions.

What would Detroit be getting if they landed Bell? The answer, quite simply, is the perfect type of back to compliment the Lions passing attack and give them a consistent and possibly even spectacular ground game.

Le’Veon Bell is a patient yet powerful runner. He picks his holes well and is willing to allow his blockers to do their job before taking advantage of any crease that has been created. He is also powerful enough to lower his head and move the pile if needed. As an added bonus, he is also a terrific receiver out of the backfield.

In short he is everything the Lions want and need. So that would make him the answer to the Lions backfield woes, right? Wrong.

Everything I said about Bell being a great fit are true, but there is one other fact that we should not ignore either; the shelf life of an NFL running back is about five years. Bell is currently a five year veteran who heading into his sixth season in the league.

Now don’t get me wrong, Bell is perfect for the Lions, but after five seasons, he is also damaged goods. There have been many backs that have had solid to spectacular careers that have lasted 10 seasons or even more like Walter Payton, Tony Dorsett, Emmitt Smith and Barry Sanders, which is not even mentioning Jim Brown who only lasted nine seasons, but still seemed to have plenty in the tank when he retired. However, for every Payton or Sanders there are truck loads of backs that haven’t even lasted five seasons.

So while it can be done, but the odds are greatly against it.