The New York Jets are trying to trade running back Le’Veon Bell, according to an NFL source.
Per senior NFL reporter Albert Breer, the Jets would be willing to settle for a late pick or a back-end player in return.
Bell, 28, signed a four-year, $52.5 million contract last year, and has averaged only 3.3 yards per carry一51st out of 53 qualifying runners in the NFL during that time. The running back, who returned to the Jets’ lineup after missing three games due to a hamstring injury, had just 13 carries for 60 yards and was targeted just once in the passing game, despite head coach Adam Gase saying he wanted to get Bell more involved as a receiver.
After the 30-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, Bell refused to speak to the media. He did, however, “like” tweets about him being traded because he is being misused.
In a press conference on Monday, Gase said he did not appreciate how Bell handled the situation.
“I hate that that’s the route we go with all this instead of just talking about it, but it seems that’s the way guys want to do it nowadays,” he said.
Bell and Gase have not had a good relationship since the former Pro Bowl running back arrived in New York. In fact, Gase was opposed to bringing Bell to the Jets altogether, but was overruled by then-general manager Mike Maccagnan.
The Jets were open to trading Bell last October at the deadline, but his contract was too big to move. He still has $6 million fully guaranteed in 2020, which might make it difficult to move Bell before the Nov. 3 trading deadline this year.
If Bell does get traded, Frank Gore and rookie La’Mical Perine, who only played on special teams Sunday, would likely be featured in the Jets’ backfield.
Gase, who has been in the news lately due to the Jets’ 0-5 start, is considering giving up play-calling duties, which could perhaps give Bell more touches. Still, Gase’s job is in jeopardy and his relationship with Bell is even further on the rocks.
(Photo: Associated Press)
