New York Jets Sign NFL Active Rushing Leader To Back Up Le'Veon Bell In 2020

The New York Jets have acquired the NFL’s active rushing leader. The team agreed to sign Frank Gore as he enters his 16th career season in 2020.

Gore, 37, played in all 16 games with the Buffalo Bills last season, totaling 599 yards on 3.6 yards per carry. The veteran joins his third AFC East team in as many years, having played for the Miami Dolphins in 2018.

No longer a No.1 running back, Gore will be the backup to Le’Veon Bell. The Jets made Bell one of the highest-paid running backs in history a year ago, signing him to a four-year, $52.5 million contract in free agency.

Jets head coach Adam Gase didn’t utilize Bell nearly as much as many expected. In 15 games, Bell had 245 carries for 789 yards and three touchdowns. The 28-year-old caught 66 passes for 461 yards and a score.

Bell held out the entire 2018 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He led the league with 321 carries in 2017, rushing for 1,291 yards in addition to a career-high 85 receptions. Bell was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2014, 2016 and 2017, posting at least 1,268 rushing yards and 616 receiving yards in each season.

Bell is sixth on the active rushing list with 6,125 career yards. After averaging 3.2 yards per carry in his first season with New York, Bell averages 4.2 yards per rush for his career.

Gore is third all-time on the NFL rushing list with 15,347 career yards. He’s 78 yards ahead of Barry Sanders. Gore trails Walter Payton by 1,379 yards for second in league history.

Gore last rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2016 with the Indianapolis Colts. He has nine career 1,000-yard seasons.

Only Miami rushed for fewer yards than New York last season. The Jets averaged 78.6 rushing yards per game on a league-worst 3.3 yards per carry. Bilal Powell was second on the team with 229 rushing yards and is currently unsigned.

The Jets missed the playoffs with a 7-9 record and finished third in the AFC East.