New York Jets running back Le’Veon Bell expressed solidarity with Ezekiel Elliott after the Dallas Cowboys rusher secured a major payday.
Le’Veon Bell infamously held out the entire 2018 season after failing to reach an agreement with the Pittsburgh Steelers. For a moment in 2019, it appeared like Ezekiel Elliott may be following in his footsteps.
However, on Wednesday, Elliott and the Dallas Cowboys finalized a six-year, $90 million contract with about half of it guaranteed. The New York Jets running back offered his support for Elliott.
Le’Veon Bell on Ezekiel Elliott’s new deal: “I’m super excited for Zeke.” #Jets pic.twitter.com/zEeFUW5fbj
— ESNY (@EliteSportsNY) September 4, 2019
“I’m super excited for Zeke,” Bell told reporters on Wednesday. “I’m glad that got done. He deserves it. He’s been doing a lot of carrying the ball and helping that team win games. So, I’m glad that he got what he got and he truly deserves it.”
Bell also received a major payday recently in the form of a four-year, $52.5 million contract this past offseason. Elliott’s contract dwarfs Bell’s, but clearly, there are no hard feelings from Bell.
Elliott will become the highest-paid running back in the NFL. The Cowboys couldn’t afford to lose Elliott’s ridiculous production, even for a few weeks. The fourth-year back has led the league in yards per game in each of his first three seasons and in rushing yards in two of those years.
Elliott is a bell cow who can completely take over a game on the ground. Additionally, he posted career-high marks for receptions (77), receiving yards (567), and receiving touchdowns (3) in 2018.
Dallas’ offense would run the risk of stagnating without the centerpiece of the unit.
Bell and the Jets are more of an unknown quantity at this point. But if Bell meshes with second-year quarterback Sam Darnold, the Jets could trot out a dynamic offense.
The Jets and Cowboys will meet in MetLife on Oct. 13 in their first matchup since 2015.
