Le’Veon Bell found a new home and added some extra money to his bank account courtesy of his former team on Thursday.
Less than three days after New York cut Bell after failing to find a trade partner, the former All-Pro running back signed with the Chiefs, giving himself a chance at winning a Super Bowl this season. He also has an additional $1 million from the Jets coming his way, as a roster bonus was due on or within 15 days of Oct. 15, according to ESPN’s Field Yates.
Bell has an offset on his guaranteed money and the amount New York owes him. However, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Bell can claim termination pay from the Jets because they cut him. That would mean the money he is set to make with the Chiefs is not deducted from what New York owes him.
Despite any additional money the Jets still have to pay Bell (they will have to carry $4 million in dead money salary into next season), New York now leads the league in salary cap space for the 2021 offseason with Bell’s future earnings off the books. His release leaves the Jets with just 35 players under contract for 2021. If the NFL’s salary cap drops to $175 million in 2021, New York will have an estimated $81 million to work with in free agency, according to Spotrac.
Bell will get a crack at revenge against his former team when the Jets and Chiefs square off in Week 8. Until then, he can bask in the roster bonus New York owes him while now having a chance to win a championship in Kansas City.