The New York Jets have perhaps made the biggest splash of the NFL offseason, as they’ve added Le’Veon Bell, per Adam Schefter.
Le’Veon Bell is about to don green and white once more.
The Michigan State alum’s roller-coaster saga with the Pittsburgh Steelers has officially ended. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Bell is set to join the New York Jets. Schefter later revealed the numbers behind the deal, as Bell will reportedly get a four-year, $52.5 million deal.
Former Steelers’ RB Le’Veon Bell plans to sign with…the New York Jets, a league source tells ESPN
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2019
Le’Veon Bell: 4 years, $52.5 million with the Jets, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2019
Le’Veon Bell’s four-year deal with the New York Jets has a max value of $61 million and includes $35 million guaranteed, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2019
The transaction cannot become official until the new league year begins on Wednesday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Bell, 27, is set to return to NFL action in 2019 after his Steelers career ended on a sour note. Seeking a long-term deal prior to his free agency departure, Bell was instead granted the franchise tag by Pittsburgh. It marked the second consecutive season that the Steelers used the tag on Bell.
The running back refused to sign the tag and distanced himself from the team once contract negotiations fell apart during the summer. He wound up sitting out the entirety of the 2018 season after refusing to sign his franchise tender in time for a November deadline.
The holdout did little to defuse interest in Bell, who was also courted by Baltimore, Indianapolis, and Oakland, among others. He has established himself as one of the NFL’s top running backs, earning 5,336 yards and 35 touchdowns on the ground over five seasons in Pittsburgh. Among his career accolades are first-team All-Pro nominations in 2014 and 2017, as well as three Pro Bowl invites in those same years, as well as 2016.
The Jets, owners of a cap space surplus at just over $100 million at the start of the offseason, were often said to be the favorites in the Bell sweepstakes. They’re hoping the addition of Bell will kickstart a dormant run game that ranked 26th in 2018. The team has not had a 1,000-yard rusher since Chris Ivory in 2015. Bell could also prove to be a receiving weapon for Sam Darnold, as he has tallied 312 receptions for 2,660 yards and seven air touchdowns throughout his career.
Other running backs on the Jets’ current roster include Isaiah Crowell, Elijah McGuire, and Trenton Cannon.
