There have been plenty of Le’veon Bell trade rumors this season. But if Bell has his way, he’ll stay with the team he signed with last spring in free agency.
Speaking to reporters Friday, Bell made it clear he wants to return to the Jets in 2020: “I wouldn’t have signed here for four years if I didn’t want to be here four years,” Bell said Friday, via ESPN.
It’s been a difficult season for Bell and the Jets, who have struggled offensively and head into Week 17 with a 6-9 record. The veteran running back averaged a career-low 3.3 yards per carry and finished with just 1,173 yards and four touchdowns from scrimmage — a far cry from the reputation he developed in Pittsburgh.
Touching on this, Bell elaborated on why he’s eager to stick around with the Jets.
“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.”
After skipping the entire 2018 season due to a contract impasse with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Bell inked a four-year contract that wasn’t nearly what he hoped to land when he made the decision to hold out. But despite all that, he’s showing leadership and saying the right things following such a disappointing series of circumstances.
It’s worth mentioning that the New York Jets reportedly will still look to trade Bell this offseason.