Could Le’Veon Bell’s time with the Jets already be coming to an end?
The Daily News has learned that Gang Green is amenable to dealing the perennial Pro Bowl running back for the right price before the 4 p.m. trade deadline. Although it’s unclear what that price tag has been during discussions, there are legitimate buyers. The Jets would unload a big salary as general manager Joe Douglas looks to reshape the roster.
Keep an eye on the Texans, Chiefs and Bills, who could use a dynamic running back. The Eagles likely would love to add Bell, but it appears that it would be cost prohibitive to add him.
The News reported in March that Adam Gase didn’t want to sign Bell in the first place. Folks higher on the totem pole on One Jets Drive disagreed, so the team inked the dual-threat running back to a four-year, $52.5 million deal with $27 million guaranteed at signing. Bell, who has a $8.97 million cap charge this year, will count $15.5 million against the 2021 cap (with $13.5 million in cash earnings).
Le'Veon Bell (Matt Rourke/AP)
Gase backed off his initial stance that he didn’t want Bell by privately claiming that he didn’t want to invest that kind of money in a running back. The coach made it clear before free agency that he didn’t want to overpay for two positions: running back and center.
Gase’s modus operandi in these instances: Warn against signing the player to shield himself from future blame, while making it clear that he’ll coach the hell out of him. That way he can be the hero if the player succeeds, while maintaining an I-told-you-so shield if the player flops.
Bell, who is averaging a career-low 3.2 yards per carry with just two total touchdowns, is having the worst year of his career. He’s been a model teammate through it all. He hasn’t been the divisive presence that some painted him to be coming off his year-long hiatus after a contract standoff with the Steelers. Bell has been encouraging and as optimistic as possible during the Jets’ miserable 1-6 start to the season.
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However, Gase’s usage of Bell has been curious to say the least. He had just 9 carries (for 23 yards) and 12 total touches in the Jets’ loss at Jacksonville last week.
Douglas inherited Bell, so it’d be much easier to part ways. Truth be told, the Jets would not have signed Bell (or C.J. Mosley) for that kind of money in the first place if he were the GM at the start of free agency.
There’s some level of interest from teams in acquiring Bell, but the necessary draft compensation coupled with his relatively exhorbitant contract would make it challenging for the Jets to move him. But Gang Green is keeping the door open if the right offer comes along soon.