NY Jets release RB Le’Veon Bell after failing to find a trade partner

The NY Jets have released running back Le’Veon Bell after failing to find a trade partner.

The NY Jets have officially parted ways with running back Le’Veon Bell. As first reported by ESPN’s Field Yates, the Jets have released Bell after just over one season with the organization.

This comes following a few days of turmoil where Bell made his displeasure with the organization apparent on social media. The Jets have reportedly been trying to trade Bell for around a year at this point, but they haven’t been able to find any takers.

Those trade discussions heated up over the past couple of days following the team’s Week 5 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Bell made headlines after liking a few tweets on Twitter that criticized the organization and head coach Adam Gase.

Evidently, this was a long time coming, but it’s still surprising to see him outright released.

General manager Joe Douglas released a statement detailing the thought process behind Bell’s release and that the decision was agreed upon after conversations with Bell, his agent, and other organizations.

Statement from GM Joe Douglas pic.twitter.com/By9XevVXVv

— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 14, 2020

Le’Veon Bell never found success with the NY Jets.

Bell originally signed a four-year, $52.5 million contract with the Jets back in March of 2019. The move was seen as one of the highlights of a very eventful offseason for Gang Green and hopes were certainly high going into the 2019 season.

After all, the two-time All-Pro was the consensus best running back in the NFL before sitting out in 2018. Nonetheless, the hope was that he could step in and immediately revitalize a new-look Jets offense.

Unfortunately, an abysmal supporting cast and a coaching staff that never saw him as the player he was signed to be led to a career-worst 3.3 yards per carry in his lone full season with the Jets.

Bell finishes his Jets career with 264 rushes for 863 yards and just four combined touchdowns. His usage was significantly nerfed from his time in Pittsburgh and that was no more apparent than with how little he was utilized in the passing game.

The story of Le’Veon Bell’s tenure with the Jets will always be a tale of what could have been. What could have been if the Jets surrounding Bell with a semi-competent offensive line? What could have been if the Jets utilized Bell to his fullest potential?

And what could have been if the Jets didn’t hire Adam Gase.