The New York Jets released Le’Veon Bell on Tuesday, a move that many analysts found perplexing, to say the least. NFL Network reporter Steve Wyche believes Bell will not be unemployed for long, but the 28-year-old running back has now worn out his welcome in two places.
“It seems like Lev Bell, when he’s been disruptive, he hasn’t been disruptive with teammates, but [with] coaches,” Wyche said on After Hours with Amy Lawrence. “He clearly wanted out of New York. They sensed that. As bad as things are going there, they figured he was making things worse, so they let him go.”
Bell was one of the most productive backs in the league in Pittsburgh, but he held out in hopes of a long-term contract in 2018. He signed a four-year, $52.5 million deal with the Jets in March 2019, but he seemingly clashed with head coach Adam Gase from the start.
Nevertheless, several teams could be interested in signing him.
“There will be a team that picks him up,” Wyche said. “With the injuries and everything that’s going on, he’s still a productive player. And we have seen a lot of players leave New York and go to other teams – like Robby Anderson – and flourish, so if he gets in a certain culture, I think he could be a really, really positive influence on some teams.”