Perhaps humbled by a disappointing 2019, the New York Jets ran Le’Veon Bell again in the offseasons and returned to training camp at its lowest weight since high school. At 28, he expects to have a career year.
“This has been the best I’ve felt, and I’m ready to show it,” Bell said Wednesday in a video conference with reporters. “I’m ready to show that this is the best Le’Veon Bell who’s ever played in the NFL.”
Bell, whose list weight is 222, said he is in the 210-215 range. He thought he was in good shape last year too, but admitted retrospectively that he was “not even close” to where he needed to be. On May 30, he decided to intensify his offseason training.
In an candid interview, Bell said he had been subjected to independence.
“It’s not what I set out to do, but I think I got something complaining in my head,” he said. “You’ve had six years of success in the NFL.
“I always had something to drive me great. When I was in college, I wanted to come to the NFL. When I came to the NFL, I wanted to be the best run in the league. If you start hearing, ‘Oh, Le’Veon, you’re the best running back in the league,’ it’s not like I’m hard at work. But it’s more than, ‘Damn, I do not have that edge more, that chip. ‘”
Bell, a two-time All-Pro who has collected more than 9,200 total yards of scrimmage in five seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, said he believes he has won that edge.
After entering into a contract conflict with the Steelers in 2018, Bell signed a four-year, $ 52.5 million contract with the Jets. Considered one of the elite talents in the league, he rushed to a career-low 789 yards as the Jets finished 32nd in total offense. He averaged 3.2 yards per carry, the worst in franchise history for a starting run back.
He was subdued by poor blocking and, at times, predictable playing call by coach Adam Gase, but Bell refuses to use these issues as excuses.
“I’ve heard it was O-line issues and Coach Gase did not get me the ball,” Bell said. “I had to look after myself and [ask], ‘Was I really the best I could be?’ I know I was not. I was not even close. This year will be a lot different in that aspect. “
Gase acknowledged that he abused Bell early in the season, but the coach is optimistic about 2020 because he has a better understanding of Bell’s skill set. At the same time, Bell is familiar with Gase and his offensive system.
“He’s fired to go, I know that,” Gase said. “He worked extremely hard this whole season. He looks great. He may have come lighter than last year.”
Gase said they have already discussed new ways to get Bell the ball in passing play and move him around the formation. The biggest difference could be the offensive line, which could have four new starters. On paper, it is a better line than last year.
“It’s just about getting the ball in his hands and letting him do things,” Gase said.
Bell also set up his Twitter feud with former teammate Jamal Adams, who was traded to the Seattle Seaks last month. At the time, Bell was critical of Adams because one of the reasons he signed with the Jets was to step up to safety in an attempt to turn the franchise around.
One year after recruiting Bell as a freelance agent, Adams forced a deal in the middle of a contract dispute.
On Wednesday, Bell removed the snare, and took the high road.
“He is a great and special player on the field, and I would love to play with him,” Bell said. “He’s also a great teammate, but sometimes you don’t like the way people handle things.”
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