Le’Veon Bell and the Jets Potential
The New York Jets decided to swing for the fences this offseason. They felt that they needed to gamble and they did just that with the signing of Le’Veon Bell. It is a risky move, Bell hasn’t played a game since 2017 after sitting out the 2018 season due to a contract dispute and although he did make the pro bowl that year he only averaged 4.0 yards a carry. Almost any NFL running back can run for 1000 plus yards when they are given 321 carries like Bell was. In Pittsburgh, Bell was given an extreme workload and he was able to run behind a top 5 offensive line every year there. There is no doubt in my mind that Le’veon will have a good year with the Jets but he will no longer have the advantages of a top tier quarterback, large workload, and great offensive line, to play with. He is not irreplaceable and that was shown as Pittsburgh was able to plug in James Conner last year, Conner a former 3rd round pick and cancer survivor ran for 973 yards and 12 touchdowns while only appearing in 13 games. It will be interesting to see if he was a product of the system or if he is a real deal superstar running back.
Le’Veon is a terrific pass catcher and should produce well with Sam Darnold. He has the opportunity to prove that he is one of the greats and New York sure hopes he will. It’s going to be hard for Bell after missing a full season, skipping OTA’s, and constantly battling injury throughout his career. You have to hope that he’ll be good and ready to go when the Jets kickoff the season at home on September 8th vs the Bills.
This will be a proving year for Bell he’s in a new state, with new colors, and the city of New York watching. He has the chance to bring a winning culture back to the Jets and that’s all Adam Gase and the New York Jets organization can hope for. Great things are brewing at Metlife stadium and its not only for the Giants this time around. Darnold and Bell have the potential to run a lethal offense, it’s going to be a sight to see. If the Bell signing pays off the Jets will be playing some exciting football for years to come. All New York can do now is keep Le’veon happy and healthy.
