Le’Veon Bell’s rapid free agent sweepstakes have come to an end.
The running back plans to sign with the Chiefs, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Kansas City will play the Jets in Week 8. Bell was released by Gang Green on Tuesday night after his frustrations over limited use intertwined with his social media activity.
Bell had narrowed his choices to Kansas City, Buffalo and Miami. All three make up New York’s next three opponents.
Bell will have to go through five days of COVID-19 testing, per Schefter, so he won’t be available to his new team this Monday. But Bell gives the 4-1 Chiefs a former All-Pro that’s hungry to prove himself on a contender. He’ll join a backfield led by rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire. The Chiefs lost starting running back Damien Williams before the season when he opted out.
Bell was known as a do it all back in Pittsburgh and he should be eager to prove that’s still true after 17 pedestrian games in New York. Bell finished his Jets career averaging just 3.3 yards per carry, but he was running behind a porous offensive line and playing for a head coach that rarely maximized his full potential.
Now Bell will have a chance to get more touches while playing for a contender. He’ll also get a quick opportunity to stick it to the Jets when they travel to K.C.
The Jets are responsible for Bell’s remaining $6 million 2020 salary, but that number may decrease due to offset language that would cover the salary of his Chiefs deal.