Connor Hughes of the Athletic heard from one high-profile agent who is well versed in the running back market that the Jets are “undeniably the favorite” to sign the Steelers RB Le’Veon Bell.
If the Jets end up missing out on Bell, Hughes mentions that Falcons RB Tevin Coleman is someone they think highly of.
Meanwhile, Brian Costello of the New York Post confirms that the Jets will be aggressive in their pursuit of Bell with Coleman being a contingency option for New York.
The Jets have plenty of cap space to be a serious player for Bell, who is considered the best skill player in this year’s free agent market. However, it will be interesting to see how high they’re willing to go for Bell when there could be more reasonably priced options like Coleman.
Bell reportedly turned down a five-year, $70 million offer from the Steelers that included $33 million guaranteed, so he’ll be looking to top those numbers in free agency.
Bell, 26, 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.
In 2017, Bell appeared in 15 games for the Steelers and rushed for 1, 291yards on 321 carries (4 YPC) to go along with 85 receptions for 655 yards receiving and 11 total touchdowns. Pro Football Focus had him rated as the No. 9 running back out of 58 qualifying players.
We have him featured in our Top 100 – 2019 NFL Free Agents list.
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