NFL Rumors: Jets Running Back Will Likely Play Last Season For New York

KEY POINTS

Le'Veon Bell is 'likely gone after this season" for the Jets
Adam Gase felt Bell's contract in 2019 was worth too high
Bell played for the Pittsburgh Steelers for five seasons

Le’Veon Bell could see an abrupt ending to his run with the Jets as he is reportedly leaving New York after the 2020 NFL Season. With the team’s decision to pick La’Michal Perine in the fourth round of the latest draft, strong signals have been gathered that the 28-year-old is likely to be replaced come 2021.

Bell signed a four-year deal worth $52 million with the Jets last offseason, but Ralph Vacchiano of SNY said the 6’1 running back is "likely gone after this season."

According to Rob Goldberg of Bleacher Report, it was Bell’s poor showing in 2019 that prompted the Jets’ front office to put a cut-off point as to his stay in New York.

“The organization is still likely disappointed with his production in 2019, finishing the year with 789 rushing yards and three touchdowns in 15 games,” Goldberg wrote. “His 3.2 yards per carry was the lowest mark of his career and second-worst in the NFL among qualified players, ahead of only Peyton Barber.”

Notably, there were earlier reports stating coach Adam Gase was not in favor of acquiring Bell at his set price in 2019, causing an alleged falling out between the Jets’ head tactician and Mike Maccagnan, who was the team’s general manager at the time.

"Adam Gase likes Le'Veon Bell, just did not love spending that much money for a player at that position," Ian Rapoport of NFL Network said. "It's really just the running back position itself. So he likes the player just didn't love the price tag. "I was told Gase didn't want to pay more than about $13 million. So the disagreements on the price were something that were clearly issues."

Bell was selected 48^th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2^nd round of the 2013 NFL Draft. In his five-year stint with the team, the former Michigan State Spartan registered 5,336 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns. He was selected to the Pro Bowl three times and was a member of the first-team All-Pro twice, which includes a stellar 2017 season where he recorded a league-high 321 carries for 1,291 yards, on top of 85 catches for 655 yards.