NFL stars line up for Logan Paul’s $1m challenge but former Steeler heads queue after calling WWE’s star’s bluff

Le’Veon Bell looks set to jump into the ring again, and it may net him $1million in the process.

The former Pittsburgh Steelers running back, has reportedly agreed to fight Logan Paul, in a boxing challenge that has had NFL stars falling over themselves to get a shot.

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YouTuber-turned-WWE star Paul has made a spectacular start to life in the wrestling ring and is keen to teach any NFL star who steps up a lesson.

In a recent episode of his Impaulsive podcast on March 4, the 30-year-old stated that he would “throttle” pro football stars, calling out the likes of Cleveland Browns star and reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett.

“If any of the football players wanna fight, we could see what happens,” said Paul on the podcast. “Not a single football player could beat me in a boxing match.

“I would throttle Myles Garrett,” Paul added, while staring into the camera. “Myles Garrett, I will bet you a mil—why did we choose him? It could have been any name.

“But any football player—Myles Garrett, Puka Nacua, Tom Brady, Gronk, like, I don’t even know. … A million dollars. A million dollars.”

This challenge comes amid his rift with all-time great quarterback Tom Brady, who called out Paul to his face and said that pro wrestling is “cute” ahead of upcoming Fanatics Flag Football Classic, which was due to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on March 21.

But amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the inaugural event is likely to be relocated to the United States.

With Paul and Brady going back-and-forth, the social media personality wants to put an end to the debate once and for all with this fight.

Some NFL players – past and present – have seemingly lined up to accept Paul’s offer, including that of 6-foot-5, 320 pound offensive tackle Dion Dawkins who posted to X (formerly Twitter) a simple four-word message: “Sure sure why not.”

Green Bay Packers star edge rusher Micah Parsons, who is currently rehabilitating a torn ACL sustained in the 2025 regular season, wanted in.

X/ @Impaulsive

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“I got million just let me get healthy first,” Parsons replied.

Another contender – and the leading frontrunner – is former All-Pro running back Bell, who retiring from the league in 2022 and has been pursuing a pro boxing career.

Widely known for his tenure with the Pittbsurgh Steelers – where he was a three-time Pro Bowler – Bell called out Paul, challenging him to a fight during the 2026 NFL Draft weekend in April.

“STOP DUCKING @LoganPaul .. bro tryna fight an NFL player that’s never fought before .. let’s set it up bro, we all heard you say you can beat any NFL player .. we can fight in April, the NFL draft is in PITTSBURGH .. we can fight NFL draft weekend! let’s make it happen,” he posted on X, alongside a clip of him knocking out a previous opponent.

Paul responded, but was quickly met with accusations of ducking the fight due to Bell’s experience in the sport.

“A.) you’re not in the NFL B.) you can actually fight so I’d have to properly train, meaning I’d have to step away from WWE (which I won’t do, especially not for you) C.) There’s no money here because you’re not a draw. Prove me otherwise Ofc YOU want the opportunity, I’m a goldmine for retirees like you. But gg,” Paul replied on X.

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Bell responded: “THIS MF A bro said “you can actually fight” so he’s telling everyone he wants to fight someone who he feels can’t fight that’s what we call DUCKING ..”

Fight might actually go ahead as NFL figures weigh in

Paul has now set the terms for the contest, outlining that he “won’t step away from WWE to coordinate & train for an event.”

However, he did decide to U-turn on his previous words to Bell and go on to write: “If any player wants to actually put up $1M and fight at my gym with official referees and judges, show yourselves (that includes you @LeVeonBell).”

“Bro wants to spar! lol that’s fine bro, we can SPAR if that’s what you wanna do .. let’s PRACTICE .. and sure, $1m bet .. but we run rounds until 1st person quit then .. no need for YOUR JUDGES and CAMERAS ON FOR SURE! no need to hide it from the public, they wanna see this,” was Bell’s response.

Based on Paul’s latest response in the ongoing back-and-forth between himself and Bell, it seems as if this bout may actually go ahead.

“10 oz gloves No headgear 3 min rounds until someone quits Next weekend $1M bet (money in escrow) No judges. You choose referee Down for Boxing or MMA. Just lmk Deal? Will have contract drawn up & sent,” Paul wrote, outlining the terms for the deal.

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“I box, never claimed anything else .. send the contract,” the former NFL star responded.

With the terms and date seemingly agreed upon, a flood of NFL stars have responded to the potential fight taking place.

“Is this my fault? ” Brady joked on X, alongside a GIF which read ‘Whoopsies…’

Former Washington Commanders first-round pick Robert Griffin III chimed in with a GIF of Kevin Hart saying ‘It’s about to go down,’ before telling Bell to “Go get ya $”.

Pat McAfee spent a segment of his titular show looking into who could step into the ring with Paul, before Bell was revealed as the opponent.

“Logan Paul, [an] incredible WWE superstar. This guy is what WWE needs. We are fans of Logan Paul as a whole,” McAfee said.

“I think he’s undervaluing offensive lineman and defensive lineman, who do hand-to-hand combat and maybe don’t go box and stuff like that.”

Fortunately, for Paul at least, Bell does not have the size advantage like that of a Dion Dawkins or a Myles Garrett or a Micah Parsons, which could somewhat level out the playing field going into this fight, should it go ahead.

We will just have to wait and see.

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