Jets’ Gase says it was ‘best that we part ways’ with Bell
NEW YORK — The New York Jets’ decision to move on from Le’Veon Bell was a stunner. For a while now, though, it appeared inevitable
The star running back never seemed to truly mesh with Adam Gase or his offense during the past season-plus. And Bell made it clear he wasn’t thrilled with his role.
So, his sudden release Tuesday night wasn’t completely a surprise — although the timing was. Rather than the Jets waiting to try to trade him at the deadline in three weeks, they instead decided to cut ties now with a player for whom there were such high hopes.
“That was kind of the consensus we came to last night,” Gase said Wednesday. “Spoke with him and for us, we just felt like it was best that we part ways.”
Bell was not seen as a long-term part of the Jets’ future, even though he signed a four-year, $52 million deal with the team last offseason. He was likely to be a salary cap cut next offseason, so New York tried to find a trade partner. The Jets also gave Bell and his agent permission to explore trades on their ends, but there were no takers.
Bell’s $8 million injury guarantee for 2021 was a hinderance for some, even with the Jets willing to pick up some of the $6 million remaining on his guaranteed base salary for this year. So, Bell is now a free agent and can sign with any other team after 4 p.m. Wednesday.
“For us, I want nothing but the best for him and he gets an opportunity to go somewhere else and have success,“Gase said. “It’s tough. It’s a tough decision to make, but we felt like that was the best for us with where we’re at right now.”
The Jets are 0-5 for the first time since 1996, and will head to Miami to take on the AFC East-rival Dolphins on Sunday. Gase remains squarely on the hot seat, and this move will only further alienate the coach from the fr ustrated f anbase — which blames him for the team’s str uggles on the field and its inability to keep star players happy.
Bell twice used social media this season to express unhappiness about how he was being used. The latest came last Sunday after he returned from missing three games with a hamstring injury. He “liked” a few social media posts that criticized Gase’s use of Bell in the passing game — he caught just one pass on his only target — and another that suggested the Jets trade him.
“For whatever reason, it didn’t work out,” Gase said. “Our team moving forward to Miami, that’s our No. 1 concern right now.”
When asked whether he agreed with the perception of some that he misused Bell, Gase said only: “It’s irrelevant at this point.”
In the offseason, Gase insisted he would try to figure out how to maximize Bell’s skills in the offense this season. That never materialized, and mostly because the running back wasn’t on the field much.
“Yeah, I mean, the first game he played a half and got injured, and then he played this last game,” Gase said. “So, it is what it is and it’s the decision we made, and we’ve moved on to this one.”
Bell’s now-former Jets teammates expressed surprise at the move, while also saying it’s just part of the business of the NFL.
“To be honest, I was kind of shocked,” wide receiver Breshad Perriman said. “I never thought anything like that was coming. But Le’Veon was a great teammate. And I hope wherever he lands, he balls out.”
Added quarterback Sam Darnold: “He’s a good player and obviously we’re going to miss him. It definitely hurts us in some ways.”
With Bell gone, rookie La’Mical Perine will likely see an increased role in the offense and likely get most of the carries over 37-yearold Frank Gore. The Jets also have Ty Johnson on the active roster and Josh Adams on the practice squad.
“Perine’s definitely going to get bigger role,” Gase said. “Frank, you’re not going to lean on him because of where he’s at in his career. Getting Perine involved is going to be critical.”
FLACCO TO START AGAIN FOR INJURED DARNOLD
Joe Flacco will get his second straight start at quarterback for the New York Jets in place of the injured Sam Darnold.
Gase confirmed Wednesday that the 3 5-year-old Flacco would be under center Sunday at Miami against the Dolphins. That comes after Darnold missed last week’s game against Arizona with a sprained AC jo int in his right shoulder.
Flacco went 18 of 3 3 for 195 yards and one touchdown in New York’s 30-10 loss.
“I think I’ll probably be in a little bit different state of mind come Sunday,“Flacco said. “Definitely a lot of new feelings and things like that go ing through my head come Sunday because it was a little bit different for me. I put a lot of things out of my head as much as possible.”
Flacco is 7-0 in his career against the Dolphins, including 1-0 in the playoffs.
“I know, man,” Flacco said with a big smile. “You’re trying to jinx it.”