More details have emerged regarding the Jets’ decision to release running back Le’Veon Bell earlier this week.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Bell’s hefty injury guarantee in his 2021 contract played a major role in New York’s decision to part ways with the former All-Pro running back. If Bell had suffered a long-term injury, the Jets would have been on the hook for an additional $8 million in 2021. According to Schefter, any injury Bell suffered could have led to a “prolonged dispute” between him and the Jets over the $8 million.
Instead of keeping Bell until the Nov. 3 trade deadline in an effort to garner any sort of return for the disgruntled running back, the Jets decided to release him on Tuesday, eliminating any possibility of him suffering an injury that would trigger the $8 million injury guarantee.
Bell signed a four-year, $52.5 million contract with New York last year. However, his tenure with the Jets was a disappointment, as Bell averaged a mere 3.3 yards per carry in 28 games. New York is responsible for the remaining $6 million of Bell’s 2020 base pay. However, there is an offset clause in his contract that will defray it by the amount of the salary on his new contract with the Chiefs.
Bell will have a $1 million base salary with Kansas City along with $1 million in playing time and playoff incentives. The base salary will be prorated for the five games Bell was not on the Chiefs, which means he will make approximately $690,000.