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And then the pièce de résistance of the Jets’ free agent class was announced.
At 9:20 pm on March 12, ESPN’s Adam Schefter announced that Le’Veon Bell planned to sign with the Jets.
Schefter also announced Bell got a four-year deal for $52.5 million with $35 million guaranteed with the possibility to get up to $61 million with incentives.
What it means?
On February 1, 2018, a Jets fan named Erich Sternkopf tweeted from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, “[Le’Veon Bell] I speak on behalf of the New York Jets, well give you $60 million in cash if you come play for us.”
Bell responded, “That ain’t enough to come run with the Jets.”
Well, since the deal is worth over $61 million with incentives, the made it worth his while. They got over the $60 million mark that he said, would not be “enough to come run with the Jets.” I say that tongue-in-cheek.
Some viewed this Bell tweet as an insult of the Jets.
“Woah big dawg, how some luv,” Jamal Adams tweeted. “We will be the talk of the league this coming year. How much you need? Let me run to the bank. I gotcha my boy.”
Then, after signing, Bell tells the world he’s a Jets fans.
Of course he is, they gave him the best offer.
But with that being said, I do think he’s into being a Jet, not just taking their money.
Reading the tea leaves, I don’t see him as a player, who took the Jets’ money, and isn’t into being with Gang Green. I have seen that play before.
He’s into this.
First off, the Jets showed him by far the most love in free agency. It’s not like any other team cames close financially. He appreciates the love the Jets showed him in a free agent market that wasn’t as fruitful as he expected.
Also, there are so many people blasting him now for not getting more, for sitting out last year, he’s highly motivated to show the world he’s still elite.
Also, with the Jets, he’s going to try to dominate to ensure his place in the Pro Football Hall-of-Fame in Canton. This is the final chapter of the Hall-of-Fame resume for this Ohio-native, and he knows that.
The last time we saw this guy on the field, in 2017 in Pittsburgh, he rushed 321 times for 1,291 yards and nine touchdowns, and added 85 receptions for 655 yards and two TDs. The Jets would sign up for that.
He is going to be huge for the Jets as a receiver out of the backfield. He’s one of the best receiving backs in NFL history, with hands and route-running ability of a top-shelf receiver.
I have said this before, and I will say it again – Mr. Coffee has matured and evolved as a GM.
So often in free agency, the top players want to land the top contract in the history of their position. This didn’t happen here.
Bell got a $13.13 million average from the Jets, after Todd Gurley got a $14.37 million average from the Rams last year.
The Jets did the right thing, drawing a line in the sand, and essentially saying, “This is our offer, take it or leave it, and we don’t care what Gurley makes.”
Also, you can’t get too crazy with running back contracts due to the injury-laden nature of the position, and Gurley is a perfect example, since a year after getting that deal, he’s dealing with arthritis in his surgical knee and needs stem-cell treatment.
The Jets, who have a ton space, gave Bell $35 million guaranteed, so if this doesn’t work out, they can get out after two years, paying off $17 one year, and $18 million the next, and call it a day.
But if it does work it, he can help make them into a playoff contender with his rare combination of running and receiving skills. You need difference-makers to win in the NFL. He’s a true difference-maker. He is one of the most patient runners you will ever see, doing a fantastic job of setting up his blocks as a running back and receiver.
And the Jets did a nice job being patient with their negotiations, and not overpaying.
March 19, 2019
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