Potential landing spots for Le'Veon Bell

It was about time Le’Veon Bell was off the New York Jets. It’s strange saying that considering he joined the team in 2019, but when the GM who signed him was fired before the season started it was clear something was wrong. 

Head coach Adam Gase and Bell never seemed on the same page, and there was a constant sense of animosity between the two. Those impressions have obviously borne out, as after just 17 games, and $28 million, Le’Veon Bell is a free agent.

His release, however, comes after weeks of efforts to trade the running back. In fact, the Jets’ efforts to trade Bell date back to last year’s trade deadline. But alas, no takers. For a back of Bell’s talent, it seems shocking there would be no takers, even for late-round pick compensation.

While the trade market may have never get going, the free agency market should be bigger, with several teams already rumored to be interested. Below are the teams I see as the best fits or most likely destinations. 

Chicago Bears

The Bears offense is frankly poor to watch and have struggled through every game this season, regardless of who was playing QB. An already underwhelming offense became more so when Tarik Cohen was lost for the year. This is where Bell would fit in.

Bell is one of the best receiving backs in the league, he’s good enough to be a wide receiver, so this would make a great deal of sense. He’d be an upgrade on Cohen as a runner, he’d fill his role as a receiver out of the backfield, and he could help splitting out into the slot.

However, Cohen should be back next year, and with David Montgomery on the roster, a cheaper, younger back than Bell, the need for Bell doesn’t necessarily exist beyond 2020. Admittedly, if he came in and showed he is the player he was in Pittsburgh this move would be a win, as that version of Bell is an upgrade on the current Bears options.

LA Chargers

Like the Bears, the Chargers’ ‘interest’ comes only from an injury created need.

Their lead back, Austin Ekeler, went down last week and figures to be out several more. Ekeler is so valuable to this team because of his versatility as a runner and pass catcher. Bell would obviously more than capably fill that role and is unquestionably an upgrade on their current replacements.

What’s more, once Ekeler is back healthy, he and Bell would complement each other very well, with Bell offering a power option to Ekeler when need be, without giving up the versatility. Adding Bell with a healthy Ekeler and Keenan Allen would give Justin Herbert a very impressive set of weapons.

Washington Football Team

Washington are included in this list purely because they need as much help as they can get if they’re serious about winning games this season.

Bell likely won’t make a huge difference as the team is that bad, but he could help on the ground and through the air as an added receiver.

Antonio Gibson has been an excellent find for this team, and figures to be a piece that helps them through the early days of Ron Rivera’s era, but other than him they could use a reliable back. Bell would absolutely be that.

As issue here, though, is what is there to believe this offense will get much out of him when the Jets couldn’t? There isn’t the talent on the roster to allow for a running back to truly thrive. And, if we’re being serious, Washington are not going to be truly competitive this season (outside of their division), so why even bother bringing him in?

New England Patriots

The Patriots are an intriguing destination because while, individually, Bell is more talented than team’s current options, the need for him isn’t immediately apparent. However, they are the ultimate destination for cast aside stars and players, and Bell’s versatility is something the team massively covets and can absolutely utilize.

James White and Rex Burkhead are good runners and excellent receivers, while Damien Harris and Sony Michel are good runners. Bell does it all, but his presence wouldn’t be fully utilized to fit those guys in, or he would be leant on and those players would be cast aside – wasting their talent.

However, thanks to his versatility and the Patriots’ shortcomings at receiver, it isn’t ridiculous to assume he could feature heavily as a slot receiver. Julian Edelman is the only truly established receiver on the roster and he has struggled with drops this season. Adding Bell would help the entire offense, potentially.

It is also rumored the Patriots had inquired about trading for Bell, so it’s fair to assume they’ll at least strongly consider picking him up as a free agent.

Despite a perceived lack of interest, Bell would, in reality, make pretty much every team better. Teams like the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins, who have a group of backs leaving a little to be desired make a lot of sense, the question is whether they want to reduce promising players’ playing time and invest even more into the position.

Other teams, like the Kansas City Chiefs and Tennessee Titans have an established starter, but their backups leave a lot to be desired. Adding Bell to these teams would create a backfield to rival the Cleveland Browns, but could Bell be properly utilized behind Clyde Edwards-Helaire or Derrick Henry? It would certainly be exciting to see.