Bell will take Roethlisberger from All-Pro to MVP
DeAngelo Williams has turned back the clock to start the 2016 season, excelling as the lead back during Le'Veon Bell's suspension.
But as good as Williams has been, there's no doubt Bell will become the Pittsburgh Steelers' featured player, and that's because of his impact on quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Bell is arguably the league's best running back, but injuries and off-field issues have sidelined him for a significant portion of his career.
In fact, in 49 games since 2013 (regular season and playoffs), Roethlisberger has played 29 with Bell and 20 without him. And the differences in the veteran passer's statistics are dramatic:
| Ben Roethlisberger | With Bell | Without Bell |
|---|---|---|
| Touchdowns per game | 1.93 | 1.65 |
| INTs per game | 0.69 | 1.25 |
(Numbers courtesy: Nick Martin of behindthesteelcurtain.com)
| Le'Veon Bell | DeAngelo Williams* | |
|---|---|---|
| Catches per game | 4.34 | 3.78 |
| Receiving yards per game | 39.68 | 32.57 |
*Williams' stats only for when he was the lead back
Bell is as adept a receiver as he is a runner. In 2014, he caught 83 passes for 854 yards. Those are numbers you expect from your No. 2 wideout, not your running back. While Williams is a strong receiver in his own right, Bell is simply more explosive.
So while having Bell back will take pressure off Roethlisberger by improving the already stellar ground game, his presence in the passing game will improve the quarterback's decision-making.
The quarterback's interception numbers jump significantly when he doesn't have Bell, who acts as a second option behind Antonio Brown. He's Roethlisberger's safety blanket, and without him, he attempts to do too much. With Bell on the field, Roethlisberger forces less passes and takes fewer risks.
While the veteran passer is great without the star back, he's an MVP with him.