Mehta’s Top 20 Jets Countdown: No. 4 Le’Veon Bell
New RB could put Jets’ offense over top
The 2019 Jets have new uniforms, new coaches and a new general manager, but one familiar question remains after an unexpected shakeup after the draft: Are these the ‘Same Old Jets’?
Mike Maccagnan added some quality pieces before getting fired in May, but has this starcrossed franchise done enough to break an eight-year playoff drought?
I’ll be revealing my Top 20 players on the roster every weekday for the next four weeks in the run-up to training camp.
The list is made up of the players who I think will make the most impact for Adam Gase’s team this season. We’re not ranking guys solely based on past accomplishments. Get ready for some surprises with our projections.
No. 4: Le’Veon Bell
2018 ranking: N/A Position: Running Back Age at the start of the season: 27
2019 salary cap charge: $8.97 million
Contract status: First year of a four-year, $52.5 million deal 2018 Season in Review: Give Le’Veon Bell credit: He opted to sit out for an entire season in the prime of his career because he didn’t feel like he was going to get paid what he believed he was worth. We can debate the merits of the wisdom of that business decision that cost him $14.5 million, but he stuck to his principles.
The two-time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowl running back was carving up opponents when last we saw him on the field in 2017. Bell ranked second in yards after contact (836), fourth in missed tackles forced (44) and third in receiving yards after contact (678) in his final year for the Steelers, according to Pro Football Focus.
“I don’t regret anything that happened,” Bell said about sitting out last season. “Obviously everything has happened for a reason up until this point. But who’s to say if I played last year, if I do go out there and play on a one-year franchise tag, if I do get hurt, do I end up sitting in this position today being with the New York Jets on a beautiful deal?”
“If I go out there and… play on the franchise tag and I get another 400 carries and I come out of the season healthy,” Bell added, “Who’s to say that a team will (sign me after getting) another 400 carries? I’ve contemplated on everything I’ve done. I know it’s past. I know everything that’s happened to this point. And I don’t regret one thing. I’m happy where I’m at and the decision I’ve made and I’m glad to be here.”
2019 Outlook:
Sure Adam Gase didn’t truly want Bell in free agency because A) he doesn’t think he needs a true workhorse in his system and B) He was fully aware that Bell wasn’t going to come cheap (and he made it clear that he didn’t want to pay big money for any running back). But it’d be downright foolish if Gase didn’t alter his blueprint to maximize Bell’s varied skill set. The veteran will be an invaluable help for Sam Darnold, who gets the first dynamic weapon in his young career.
Bell, who is the first player in NFL history with 4,000 rushing yards and 2,000 receiving yards in his first 50 games, should electroshock Gang Green’s offense as long as he stays healthy. He shouldn’t be taken off the field unless he asks for it. His mere presence will give opposing coaches headaches. He’ll be a matchup nightmare against linebackers in the passing game too.
Bell, whose 406 offensive touches in 2017 were the most by anyone in the past four seasons, is a workhorse in the truest sense.
“I’ve always felt like I have a good feel of when a guy is either fatigued or we’re heading in a direction of maybe we’re wearing him down,” Gase said. “I think we’ll start early to where he’ll get a certain amount of reps that we use. I mean, he is a veteran running back, he plays a position that’s very physical. You can wear a guy out with too many rushes, too many touches, too many snaps, too many practice snaps. We’ll keep an eye on that.”
Bell admittedly fell out of shape during his year-long hiatus, but he chose to stay in Florida for the bulk of the offseason to train with familiar people to get ready for the most important year of his professional life.
“I’ll have plenty of time to knock all the rust off going into the season,” Bell said. “When things actually count, I’ll be ready for that.”
The Jets have a two-year window with Bell before his guaranteed money runs out. He can be a true difference maker that could change everything for Gang Green’s offense and their franchise quarterback.
Next on the Countdown: The straw that stirs the drink.