Jets should sign Le’Veon Bell in 2018 free agency

By K. Jared Wright | Sep 13, 2017

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 24: Le'Von Bell #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the ball during the 28-7 win over the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 24, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

The New York Jets will have a lot of money to spend next offseason as they should do whatever it takes to land the services of running back Le’Veon Bell if he hits the free agency market in 2018.

If you have realistic expectations about the upcoming New York Jets regular season, you’ll more than likely be in for a rude awakening. The team is hitting the reset button as Mike Maccagnan, Todd Bowles, and company are in the midst of a massive (and overdue) overhaul.

At the conclusion of the 2017 campaign, the ideal scenario will give the Jets a top 3 pick and around $80 million in salary cap space. Provided anyone wants to sign with the Jets, there are a few names that will pique the names of members of the front office and fans alike. One of these names the Jets should take seriously about bringing in for 2018 and beyond is running back Le’Veon Bell.

With Matt Forte coming off of the books after the season and Bilal Powell getting a year older (and not being a true No. 1 running back), the Jets will need to fill what could be a gaping hole in the backfield. Even with a potentially good rookie season by Elijah McGuire, the Jets will still need a dynamic piece to the offense that can help them win football games.

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Yes, Bell will be costly, but the Jets can sign him with the flexibility to add other pieces they need. Furthermore, he would be an acquisition that will sell tickets and get fans excited about coming to the games.

I am certain that a team that will more than likely have issues selling tickets could use the help in the box office.

A huge reason to get excited about a potential Bell acquisition is it looks as if he is a Jets fan. A move like this could not only expedite the rebuilding process after what will likely be a down year, but a player like Bell who is in an elite tier in the league could be excited about coming to play for the Jets.

This is crucial in the current state of affairs of the team considering that plenty of free agents for one reason or another are taking less money to play somewhere else, or are rebuffing the Jets entirely. An acquisition like Bell could be the catalyst for other big names on both sides of the football to entertain signing with the team.

Whether you like current quarterbacks Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty or if you have your eyes on a franchise quarterback in the 2018 NFL Draft. You know, possible future franchise quarterbacks like Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, or Josh Allen, then an experienced player like Bell would do wonders in the running game to aid in the development of the next Jets signal caller for the 2018 season and beyond (whoever you are).