After much speculation about Le’Veon Bell being traded this offseason, it sounds like Joe Douglas expects the running back to return in 2020.
Douglas was on “The Michael Kay Show” on ESPN Radio Monday and was asked about Bell’s situation. The Jets were taking calls on Bell at the trade deadline, but didn’t get an offer to their liking. Between that and Adam Gase’s questionable use of Bell, it was all shaping up for the back to be traded. However, Douglas doesn’t sound like he’s planning on moving Bell at all.
“We value Le’Veon,” Douglas said. “We value the competitor, we value the teammate. We’re excited (for him) being in our program another year, going through our offseason again.”
Bell was signed to a four-year deal worth $52.5 million but did not live up to the contract in the first year. He had a career-low 789 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, he only had 461 yards receiving. Not all of it was Bell’s fault, though, as he was running behind a terrible offensive line and Gase failed to utilize him correctly.
The issue with trading Bell is that no one would take his contract. The Jets would have to take on some of his money or else a team wouldn’t trade future assets for a 27-year-old running back. Unless that happens, Bell will return for another season.
As for Jamal Adams and his potential contract extension, Douglas declined to comment on what’s next. Douglas did say that he’s “so happy” that Adams is on the team and that the trade-deadline tension between the two “is in the rear-view mirror.”
Adams was First-Team All-Pro this season and has distinguished himself as one of the best at his position. His production on the field is spectacular, while his leadership keeps the Jets locker room intact. However, he is likely looking for a record-setting extension.
Douglas said last week that he and the front office are going to assess every single player on the roster in preparation for next season, so he hasn’t ruled out extending Adams just yet.