Jets RB Le’Veon Bell Could Be On Trade Block This Offseason

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports the Jets have “never slammed the door on moving” RB Le’Veon Bell in a potential trade, despite signing him to a big-money contract last year. 

However, Rapoport says it’s likely the Jets would have to eat some money in order to facilitate a trade with another team. Rapoport adds that it remains to be seen whether this would be possible. 

This shouldn’t come as a big surprise. 

Jets GM Joe Douglas told reporters after the season that if teams call him about a  trade for Bell this offseason, he plans to listen. 

“If teams do call, I’m going to listen,” Douglas said, per Brian Costello.

Douglas did, however, add that his “personal experience with Le’Veon has been very positive.”

Bell did make it clear back in December that he wants to be back with the Jets. 

“I wouldn’t have signed here for four years if I didn’t want to be here four years,” Bell said, via ESPN.com.

“When I did sign here, I didn’t expect us to go 16-0, you know what I’m saying?” Bell added. “I knew it would be a process. I understand everything. We got a young quarterback, a whole group of guys coming in — new offensive coordinators, head coaches. … I understand what goes on. It’s not like basketball. You can’t take one or two guys and change a team.”

Bell said he understands that turning things around is a process and he’s willing to see it through. 

“I’m a guy that is extremely patient, not just on the field,” Bell said. “I understand it takes a while to build a stable program. I’m here for it. It’s what I want to do. I’m not saying I’m ecstatic about it. I’m not saying I’m down about it. I understand it’s a process, getting things going in the right direction.”

Bell, 27, is a former second-round pick of the Steelers back in 2013. He played out the final year of his four-year, $4,120,600 rookie contract, but Pittsburgh used their franchise tag on him.

Last year, the Steelers decided to franchise Bell for the second straight year, but he elected to hold out the entire 2018 season and set himself up for free agency in 2019. The Jets later signed Bell to a four-year, $52.5 million contract worth up to $61 million and including $35 million guaranteed.

In 2019, Bell appeared in 15 games for the Jets and rushed for 789 yards on 245 carries (3.2 YPC) to go along with 66 receptions for 461 yards receiving and four total touchdowns.