The New York Jets need to make a big splash this year to bolster their roster and help Sam Darnold develop into a star. Le’Veon Bell would seem to fit that bill.
And, according to Peter King of Pro Football Talk, the Jets are favored to land the prized free agent running back.
“New York, with $116 million in cap room and the motivation to spend with a GM who has to win this year, is the favorite to sign Bell. I can’t see Bell to the Colts except at a discount, and Bell will be motivated to make up what he lost last year (which he’ll never do). Smart football people think the Jets are the leaders in the Bell derby, with Washington and Miami possible too.”
Interestingly, the Jets have been considered betting favorites to land Bell going back to even a few months ago.
It makes sense. New York has the cap space to make Bell a very rich young man, and it is building up an offensive line that can plow running lanes with the impending trade for Oakland’s Kelechi Osemele.
There have been whispers that the Jets might be more interested in Tevin Coleman, who is dynamic but will come at a fraction of the cost to land Bell. However, if the Jets are really serious about giving Darnold the best possible supporting cast, Bell is a guy they need to lure to the Big Apple.