NFL Rumors: Le'Veon Bell To The Jets? Steelers RB's Tweets Set Off Speculation

The sports world is currently transfixed on NBA trade rumors ahead of that league’s Thursday deadline, but the NFL offseason is about to get into full swing, too. One unresolved high-profile situation heading into this offseason is the fate of Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell.

The Pro Bowler sat out the entire 2018 season in a contract dispute with the Steelers, and the thinking is he will play somewhere else in 2019. He helped set off a fresh round of speculation on Monday night with a series of tweets. New York Jets safety Jamal Adams said the two were meeting in Los Angeles to “talk business.”

The Jets were betting favorites to land Bell as recently as December. They have a young quarterback in Sam Darnold entering his second year as a pro and a desperate need for offensive star power. Perhaps most importantly, the Jets are estimated to have at least $90 million in cap room, giving them more than enough flexibility to sign Bell to a large contract.

The only problem is the Steelers reportedly are not done trying to retain their star running back. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported over the weekend that the Steelers could use the transition tag on Bell this offseason. That would enable them to match any offer sheet he signs with another team, effectively putting his fate in the Steelers’ hands regardless of what he wants to do.

Pittsburgh might be inclined to keep Bell because of what is happening with Antonio Brown. Their star wide receiver seems to be on his way out after his relationship with the team deteriorated. If the Steelers trade Brown and get his contract off the books, they would have more flexibility to give Bell the kind of contract he wants.

His offensive production could be even more valuable to Pittsburgh in the absence of Brown, who catches more than 100 passes every year when he is healthy.

If Bell goes to the Jets, he could be an offensive cornerstone in the backfield with Darnold for years to come. He is only 26 and has three 1,000 yard rushing seasons under his belt. He also did not take any hits in 2018 by virtue of sitting out the season.