According to sources around the NFL running back, Le’Veon Bell, will sign a new contract with the New York Jets. This will be a four-year deal for $52.5 million and $35 million of it is guaranteed money. The contract has a maximum value of $61 million after incentives and bonuses are included. Le’Veon’s average salary per year is $13.13 million which puts him in second place for running backs behind Todd Gurley of the Los Angeles Rams who is earning $14.37 million per year.

Bell’s Past Deals with the Pittsburgh Steelers:

Le’Veon Bell decided to sit out last year and not play for the Pittsburgh Steelers when they used the franchise tag on him. This means that Bell turned down $14.5 million to play one year for the Steelers in order to wait for a long-term contract. Reportedly after the 2017 season Le’Veon turned down a five-year $70 million contract with Pittsburgh due to what he called a low true guarantee of $17 million. It was only a matter of time until Bell would become a free agent and get the deal he was looking for from another organization as things were not working out the way he wanted them to in Pittsburgh.

Career Highlights and Awards:

Bell was named to the NFL Pro Bowl three times during his young career with the Steelers (2014, 2016, 2017). He made the First Team All Pro twice (2014, 2017), and he was elected to the Second Team All Pro in 2016. Being that Bell is only 27 years old, it is expected that he will add to his career highlights and awards throughout the remainder of his NFL career.

Dual Threat:

The 27 year-old is just as dangerous running the ball out of the backfield as he is catching passes as a running back. During his 5 playing years with the Pittsburgh Steelers he averages over 1,000 rushing yards per season. He also averages over 500 receiving yards each year he has played so far. His value as a top rusher will hopefully open up the pass game for the young quarterback out of USC, Sam Darnold. His ability to provide Darnold with another option to throw to out of the backfield should also benefit the Jets offense as well.

The New Look New York Jets:

The Jets have had a very busy 2019 offseason in which they have made various moves to improve their young team that finished 4-12 last season. Bell will immensely help New York’s running game as they finished toward the bottom of the league in rushing categories last year.

They have acquired 2 wide receivers through free agency in Jamison Crowder and Josh Bellamy. The Jets also picked up the guard Kelechi Osemele via a trade to contribute to their offensive line. On Defense they picked up Pro Bowl linebacker C.J. Mosely. All of these roster additions should lead to more success in the NFL for the New York Jets.