The New York Jets have over $95 million in cap space and they’ve been tabbed for months by Le’Veon Bell and the agent as the team that will help set the market price for Bell in free agency, where Bell is said to be obsessed with landing a $100 million contract. Something Bell will not get but the Bell camp is short-sighted enough where they believe they’re going to find a $90-$100 million contract from somebody. That’s at least what they kept portraying to the Steelers in talks last summer. Over the last two years in negotiations with the Steelers, Bell’s demands went from $12 million a year (number the agent/Steelers verbally agreed to a deal in July 2017 before Bell nixed the contract) to a counter of $15 million a year to $18 million a year last July. The asking price will now be around $20 million a year on the open market.
Many league insiders contend Bell’s camp is going to be in for a rude awakening and if the Jets are going to be disciplined in not breaking the bank for Bell like reports say, Bell is going to struggle to get the deal the Steelers had on the table.
From Jets insider Manish Mehta of the Daily News
Le’Veon Bell would be the weapon that Sam Darnold desperately needs, but it’d be foolish to believe that he’s a slam dunk to land in green-and-white. The Jets will not break the bank in free agency for the dynamic playmaker, according to sources. Although I think that Gang Green should fold up shop if they don’t aggressively pursue the dual-threat running back, there is a level of concern in the building about Bell’s motivation if he lands a big payday……So, I’ve been told that the Jets, who will have about $100 million in salary cap space, won’t adopt a do-whatever-it-takes approach to sign Bell.
Teams SHOULD be cautious due to his history. That said some lucky team is gonna overpay for a pretty good running back. It is unfortunate how LB and AB have turned out.
I think someonewill overpay for him, but I still don’t think he’ll get anywhere near what he wanted from the Steelers. Pairing that with the fact that he left so much on the table last year, sitting out will prove to be a hideous idea.
Absolutely agree. Not sure about the contract but I don’t think the O-line in most places he may wind up are as good as the one he left.
It’s nice to see this. It was hard not to think that the way he handled everything last year wouldn’t hurt him to some degree. He also left 15 million GUARANTEED on the table last year. He could’ve had that and set himself up well for a huge payday this year. It’ll be interesting to see what exactly he gets.
I hope he crashes and burns in life.
how could anyone questions his desire? the guy has been nothing but a team first warrior his entire career…