New York Jets running back Le’Veon Bell understands either side in the current Jamal Adams-Joe Douglas “saga.”
The New York Jets have succumbed to numerous off-field issues this week despite doing their best to prepare for Miami. For the most part, these problems have involved Jamal Adams and the past “trade talks” regarding him. Tuesday’s deadline came and went, and the All-Pro safety is still in green. However, he isn’t happy that general manager Joe Douglas even fielded calls on him.
He wasn’t the only Jets player who was discussed at the deadline though. Running back Le’Veon Bell garnered interest from multiple teams, including his former ballclub, the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bell has remained pretty quiet about the call-fielding, due to him knowing the actual business side of it. So is he taking Douglas’ side when it comes to the drama? Not exactly, because he also understands the mental place Adams is coming from.
“I think if I was a 24-year-old, I probably would’ve felt the same way when I first got drafted,” the veteran said, per Steve Serby of the New York Post. “He feels like, ‘I put my heart, blood, sweat, and tears in this game for this organization.’ For somebody to try to, I guess, shop me…He probably felt a little hurt by it or disgruntled, I don’t know the word for it, but if I was that age when I was with the Steelers, I would’ve felt the same way.
“I understand where he’s coming from. I understand where Joe [Douglas] and [head coach Adam] Gase is coming from also because I understand the business of everything.
“So both sides gotta deal with it, but they gotta learn how to work together, wash it, move forward. Period.”
Just to be clear, Douglas wasn’t shopping around Adams, nor Bell, nor Robby Anderson. It is, indeed, his job to field these calls and listen to offers.
As of Friday, Adams hasn’t spoken to Douglas. Therefore, the conclusion of this “saga” is still yet to be determined.
