Le’Veon Bell isn’t interested in leaving New York anytime soon.
Despite a tough first season with the Jets and trade rumors that have followed Gang Green’s star running back since the trade deadline, Bell has no desire to jump ship after signing a $52.5 million contract with New York in March.
“I wouldn’t have signed here for four years if I didn’t want to be here four years,” Bell said on Friday.
The idea of being one and done with the Jets doesn’t appeal to Bell, even though it wouldn’t be much of a surprise if it did. Bell is having the worst season of his career playing in Adam Gase’s offensive scheme, rushing for a career-low 748 yards so far this season. He has had success catching passes out of the backfield with 61 catches for 425 yards and a touchdown, but Bell’s production running the ball has simply not been there.
Bell turns 28 in February. After another season missing the playoffs, the Jets figure to go through some sort of rebuild this offseason with numerous holes for general manager Joe Douglas to fill. That doesn’t phase him, though, as Bell is all for being part of the process of getting the Jets back on track in 2020 and beyond.
“I’m a guy that is extremely patient, not just on the field,” Bell said. “I understand it takes a while to build a stable program. I’m here for it. It’s what I want to do. I’m not saying I’m ecstatic about it. I’m not saying I’m down about it. I understand it’s a process, getting things going in the right direction.”
Bell is due to make $13.5 million in guaranteed money next season, which will likely cause any team interested in trading for him to look elsewhere on the market for a running back. There are no guarantees in Bell’s contract past 2020, but that doesn’t do the Jets any favors when it comes to the possibility of moving him this offseason.
Fortunately for New York, it doesn’t look like it’ll have to deal with a disgruntled superstar in the locker room moving forward. For better or worse, Bell is invested in remaining a Jet for the duration of his contract.
“When I did sign here, I didn’t expect us to go 16-0, you know what I’m saying?” Bell said. “I knew it would be a process. I understand everything. We got a young quarterback, a whole group of guys coming in — new offensive coordinators, head coaches. … I understand what goes on. It’s not like basketball. You can’t take one or two guys and change a team.”