Jets, Buccaneers favored in Le’Veon Bell sweepstakes

Pittsburgh Steelers impending free agent running back again Le’Veon Bell will be a person of the most thrilling players obtainable on the open current market, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Jets could be between the leaders to obtain his signature.

Le’Veon Bell is on a mission to improve how NFL players navigate contract negotiations, as the superstar running back again proved his seriousness by sitting down out the entire 2018 time.

However the Pittsburgh Steelers acquired a breakout time from James Conner, they also skipped the playoffs, possibly underscoring Bell’s general benefit to the business.

However running backs seem to be valued significantly less remarkably than at any time just before, partly due to the sheer selection of capable rushers in this league, Bell has normally touted himself as a “weapon” on offense he’s similarly capable of roasting groups as a rusher and a receiver.

Therefore, Bell could incredibly nicely get the $17 million for every 12 months he’s reportedly trying to get.

In accordance to The Athletic’s Chris Burke on Twitter, odds have previously been detailed for Bell, and it appears the New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the betting favorites to land the 27-12 months-previous Michigan Point out solution.

These odds jibe with a report from Burke’s colleague at The Athletic, Connor Hughes, who named the Jets, Buccaneers, and Eagles as groups expected to have desire in Bell.

FanSided.com’s Matt Verderame described that the Oakland Raiders have “real interest” in Bell, who would be a huge addition to an Oakland offense that sorely lacks playmakers.

The exact same can be mentioned for the Jets offense, as their major running backs final time have been Isaiah Crowell, Elijah McGuire, and Bilal Powell, who endured a career-threatening neck injury.

Though Powell is proficient and Crowell occasionally has a major game, none of those people 3 running backs can keep a candle to Bell, who had 1,291 yards and nine touchdowns on 321 carries in his final complete time.

Having said that, the Jets desire in Bell may possibly be doubtful, based on a latest report from Tony Pauline, who relayed term from the Mix that the Jets may possibly be much more interested in targeting less costly free agent running backs like Tevin Coleman.

The Jets have serious requirements all about their roster, so expending on an edge rusher, as Pauline described, could be a improved financial commitment of their funds.

That mentioned, second-12 months quarterback Sam Darnold significantly requirements assistance all over him over and above just explosive wideouts Quincy Enunwa and Robby Anderson, so Bell would be a welcome addition.

As for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they have all the components on offense other than for a running back again.

Even if DeSean Jackson is traded and Adam Humphries walks, the Buccaneers still have 3 reputable star move-catchers all over Jameis Winston in Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and O.J. Howard.

Introducing Bell into the combine would be practically unfair, and it would also place the onus on Winston to last but not least produce a constantly great time.