Joique Bell to Lions: Latest Contract Details, Comments and Reaction

Joique Bell is reportedly returning to the NFC North and a familiar city. After spending four seasons with the Detroit Lions and a brief stint with the Chicago Bears earlier in 2016, Bell agreed to a contract with the Lions on Tuesday, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com. 

Bell, 30, spent four games with the Bears earlier this season but did not make an impact. He carried the ball just three times for six yards before being released Oct. 24. 

Undrafted out of Wayne State, Bell bounced around from camp to camp before finally finding a home with the Lions. He emerged as a solid option in a timeshare and even took over the workload in 2014, rushing for 860 yards and seven touchdowns. While the addition of younger players reduced his role last season, Lions players and coaches have long expressed their admiration for his work ethic.

"He’s a hard-working, tough, hard-nosed guy who can carry the ball," Lions head coach Jim Caldwell told reporters of Bell. "He did a tremendous job for us. I love the guy. He’s pretty special."

It's unlikely Bell makes much of an impact in his return to Detroit. He's never been much of an explosive fixture, and Theo Riddick, Dwayne Washington and Zach Zenner are all available in Detroit. Bell is likely insurance in case Washington's ankle injury ends up being severe. Bell has consistently averaged fewer than four yards per carry and is at 4.0 overall for his career. 

It's possible Bell will face a similar uphill battle for carries, but the Lions are clearly in need of more depth at running back.