It’s hilarious that the default mode for New York football drama is to trade everyone and fire everyone else.
And I can’t help but feel like that’s what’s happening with the Jets.
First, it was reports tossing quarterback Sam Darnold onto the rumor mill. And because of their future quarterback needs, the Bears were named as a possible suitor if push comes to shove. Now there’s this from Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, who reports the Jets are trying to trade disgruntled running back Le’Veon Bell.
The Jets signed Bell to a big-money multi-year deal before the start of the 2019 season, but he hasn’t played to his potential since arriving in New York. Bell has averaged just 3.3 yards per rush attempt and 4.1 yards per touch in 17 games with the Jets. That’s a far cry from the 4.3 yards per carry and 5.2 yards per touch he averaged while in Pittsburgh from 2013-17. And to that end, I can understand why the Jets would want to move on from Bell.
Then again, I see how others have thrived since leaving New York. Reading quotes from Head Coach Adam Gase is a reminder of how toxic the Jets’ environment is right now. It’s evident both sides could use a change of scenery on so many levels. And to that end, I understand if you’re curious how the Bears could get in on a potential buy-low situation. Especially since the team won’t have Tarik Cohen for the rest of the year.
So let’s begin our discussion by exploring possible compensation:
Sources: The Jets have been in touch with other teams in an effort to trade RB Le'Veon Bell (as @MMehtaNYDN reported). Sounds like they're willing to settle for a late pick and/or back-end player in return.
Bell is due $6M (plus per-game roster bonuses) for the rest of '20.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) October 13, 2020
Getting a player with Bell’s résumé for the low price of a late-round raft pick is certainly intriguing. But if his recent production doesn’t stem your interest, the cost of taking on his contract might do the trick. As SI.com’s Albert Breer points out, Bell has $6 million coming his way for the rest of this season. And while a team acquiring Bell now could save $9.4 million in cap space by cutting Bell next year, the logic behind trading draft capital for a player you’ll cut in a few months just doesn’t line up. Plus, once you consider the Bears’ future cap issues, a pursuit of Bell makes no sense.
Nevertheless, I’m intrigued by the Bell-Jets situation. It’s fun-bad to the highest degree. Like one of those ugly bar fist-fights that you can’t turn away from because it’s an absolute mess. Remember bars? Ahhh … fun times! Anyway, let’s keep an eye on this — if only to see how the latest drama unfolds.
UPDATE: Looking like it’s gonna be a release, not a trade. Which makes a lot of sense. And now that he’s a free agent, he sure looks a lot more interesting …