Le’Veon Bell didn’t put up the kind of numbers that the Jets expected in 2019. And, in their estimation, much of that had to do with Bell’s conditioning. The Jets feel that Bell “gained weight and lost explosiveness as the season went on,” Rich Cimini of ESPN.com writes.
That sort of talk won’t help the possibility of a Bell trade, and that was already looking pretty slim. The running back is due $13.5MM in guarantees and the Jets would have to eat a portion of his salary if they were to move him. Even in that case, Cimini feels, the Jets wouldn’t do much better than a low draft pick.
Of course, cutting Bell one year into his mega free agent deal isn’t an option either. If they dropped him today, they’d be on the hook for $19MM in dead money and the “savings” would be a net negative.
Here’s more from the AFC East:
- It’s impossible to guess exactly what any team will do in the draft, especially before free agency starts, but Jeff Howe of The Athletic ran down some potential scenarios for the Patriots. If they stay at No. 23 overall, Howe believes that Alabama safety Xavier McKinney could be a good fit for Bill Belichick‘s defense, making him a potential fit if Devin McCourty leaves in free agency. If the Patriots don’t go for a safety, they could use the pick on a tackle or a defensive lineman. Tight end, Howe writes, is less pressing given the depth of this year’s TE crop.
- Tom Brady is getting all of the headlines, but the Patriots have 19 free agents to address this offseason. That list includes special teams stalwart Nate Ebner, who hopes to stay in New England (via Zach Cox of NESN).
- Recently, we learned that the Bills may consider the franchise tag for defensive lineman Jordan Phillips.
- Meanwhile, in Miami, the team is planning to hold on to Josh Rosen, even though he doesn’t figure to have much of a role in 2020.
“Meanwhile, in Miami, the team is planning to hold on to Josh Rosen, even though he doesn’t figure to have much of a role in 2020.”
Isn’t it nice to be a 1st round pick! Career BU that’ll make him millions.
All the back ups make millions a year. Average back up is about 4mil+ per year which is about what Rosen will make.
You do know it’s hard to judge a QB who’s been forced to play for multiple incompetent head coaches in his 2 year career.
Flores isn’t incompetent
I think youre correct gley, Flores is a dedicated and talented dude.
Today’s lessons:
1-If the reports are correct, and teams were interested in Bell at the trade deadline,it’s an automatic trade.
2-If you want to get rid of him, questioning his conditioning is probably not the most effective way of creating market appeal.
Probably best to pair Bell up with a nutritionalist, and put him on a conditioning regime in the offseason and hope for the best. Not worth the low pick he will return, and wow $19mm in dead money is pretty huge. If he’s as sincere as he says about wanting to be a jet next year then a good offseason program may fix what’s ailing him. If not draft a good RB and he’ll be the highest paid backup in the NFL and he can be cut in ‘21 with less of a financial burden. Time to put your money where your mouth is Le’Veon cause you could be out a lot more if you don’t have a turnaround season next year.