New York Jets Release Running Back Le’Veon Bell
The New York Jets have released running back Le’Veon Bell, per Adam Schefter.
The New York Jets tried to trade Le’Veon Bell numerous times, dating back to last season’s trade deadline. With no takers in a trade, the Jets released the running back, and Bell will become a free agent.
Le’Veon Bell was a three-time Pro-Bowler with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2014, 2016 and 2017. He was named First-Team All-Pro in 2014 and 2017, he was also named Second Team All-Pro in 2016. The former second-round pick out of Michigan State held out for the entire 2018 season and signed a four-year $52.5 million contract with the Jets before the 2019 season.
In Bell’s first year with the Jets, he had 789 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns on 245 carries. He also had 461 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown on 66 receptions. In only two games with New York in the 2020 season, Bell had 74 rushing yards on 19 carries and no rushing touchdowns. He also had 39 receiving yards on three receptions and no receiving touchdowns.
Upon news breaking about the release, Bell’s latest tweet implies that the feelings were mutual between him and the Jets.
Le’Veon Bell’s contract was large, and the New York Jets face a decent amount of dead cap space. In 2020, the Jets will have a penalty of $15 million in dead cap. They will only see a $4 million dead cap penalty in the 2021 season. Bell earned $28 million across 18 games played for the New York Jets, per Spotrac.
In an NFL season where there have been multiple injuries, Le’Veon Bell will be looking for a new place to call home.
