Le'Veon Bell's first season as a member of the New York Jets did not exactly go according to plan.
The running back instantly heard trade rumors not long after being signed to a four-year, $52.5 million deal, and midway through the season, that chatter resurfaced, as the Jets shopped Bell around at the Week 8 deadline.
Ultimately, New York held on to Bell, but head coach Adam Gase refused to commit to the three-time Pro Bowler after the season came to an end.
However, on Tuesday, Jets general manager Joe Douglas put any Bell trade rumors to bed, saying that Gang Green has not been trying to move him:
“There hasn’t been talk about him going anywhere. We’re excited about Le’Veon. We’re excited to have him here,” Douglas said, according to Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.
It should be noted that earlier in the offseason, Douglas said he would listen to offers for Bell.
So basically, what is likely going on here is that the Jets would probably move Bell for the right price, but given that Bell has three years remaining on his deal at hefty pay, New York isn't finding any worthwhile offers.
That seems hard to believe at first, given how terrific Bell was during his days with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but Bell held out all of 2018 due to a contract dispute with the Steelers, and during his first season with the Jets, he rushed for just 789 yards and three touchdowns while averaging a meager 3.2 yards per carry.
Of course, Bell's lack of production in 2019 was hardly all his fault, as New York had a horrific offense as a whole, and Gase didn't seem to want to utilize him.
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