FLORHAM PARK, NJ – The New York Jets have added another veteran to their full backfield, and got Kalen Ballage from the Miami Dolphins in a rare intra-division trade Thursday.
The Dolphins, who were presumably on the verge of releasing Ballage, will receive a conditional 2021 seventh-round pick.
Ballage will be reunited with coach Adam Gase, who is part of Miami’s decision to field him in 2018. Ballage is the second ex-Dolphin to join Gase’s running back group, at Frank Gore, who accompanied Ballage as a rookie.
The Jets starter is Le’Veon Bell, who made headlines on Wednesday by expressing frustration on Twitter that he did not get any more reps in the team’s first instrasquad scrimmage. Prior to the tweet, Gase told reporters that Bell was pulled over because of hamstring tightness, which Bell refused.
The Jets also have rookie La’Mical Perine, a fourth-round pick.
Ballage was the starter of the Dolphins’ Week 1 last season, but he struggled and lost his job under the new regime that Jordan Howard and Matt Breida got in the recent offseason.
As a rookie, Ballage showed promise in Gase’s offense, averaging 5.3 yards per carry – 191 yards on 36 attempts, including a touchdown. He also has the ability to return kickoffs, which appeal to the Jets.
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