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Joique Bell Rejected Lions Offer Before Release

NFL News
February 20, 2016

Running back Joique Bell was released by the Lions on Tuesday after five seasons with the club, but he was offered a chance to stay in Detroit before he was cut, as Bell himself told reporters, including Justin Rogers of MLive.com.Joique Bell (Vertical)

“The NFL is a crazy business,” said Bell. “You never know. The Lions made me an offer. I thought I did what was best for my career. I ended up declining the offer.”

[RELATED: Nerdy Football previews the 2016 Detroit Lions offseason]

The 29-year-old Bell didn’t elaborate as to the details of the Lions proposal, but it likely would have included a paycut. Bell was entering the final year of an extension he signed prior to the 2014 season, and was due to earn a base salary of $2.5MM and count for $3.5MM against the salary cap. Detroit cleared out that $2.5MM from its 2016 books, and is now set to enter the offseason with about $26MM in cap space.

Bell saw time in 13 games last season, rushing for 311 yards off of 90 carries with four touchdowns. He also produced as a pass-catching back, hauling in 22 receptions for 286 yards. Bell has been an important part of the Lions’ backfield rotation since 2013, but the club — pending other additions — will move forward with incumbents Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick, and Zach Zenner.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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