Le'Veon Bell's first season with the Jets was underwhelming.
The Pro Bowl running back ran for 789 yards, adding 461 through the air. Bell's three rushing touchdowns tied the lowest mark he's recorded since 2015, where he only appeared in six games. It isn't the type of production expected from Bell, who tallied at least 1,000 rushing yards in three of his last four seasons before he signed his lucrative deal in March.
Head coach Adam Gase wasn't keen when reporters asked if he'd like Bell back for another season with New York. Gase deflected the topic for Jets general manager Joe Douglas to later evaluate.
"He's under contract for three more years," Gase said, via SNY. "You can ask Joe tomorrow ... I'm not in charge of personnel."
https://t.co/csolpvucXt pic.twitter.com/RFNcgQLjq5
— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) December 30, 2019Bell notably voiced his frustrations in regards to his usage throughout the season. His output declined compared to his time with the Steelers, averaging 52.6 yards per game in 2019 — compared to 86.1 yards during his final season in Pittsburgh.
Following a loss to the Jaguars in October, Bell told ESPN's Rich Cimini that he "didn't feel like I was involved" as he carried the ball 11 times.
"I expressed the way I felt to Coach Gase and things like that," Bell said. "We had a good little talk. I want to be one of the main reasons for helping the team win. I don't like not being used and we end up losing the game. I felt like I couldn't help my team out.
Blessed for another year. I want to thank Jets fans for embracing me all season. I put everything into every snap this season & hope you all are proud of how I repped the Green & White. Things didn't go as planned for many reasons, but can't wait to get working & keep moving fwd. pic.twitter.com/Y2Uxg75fQw
— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) December 29, 2019Bell didn't see much action in the team's season finale against the Bills, either. He had 16 touches for 41 yards, failing to score a touchdown for the fifth consecutive week. It reportedly led to a private conversation between Bell and Gase, according to Cimini.
Gase's vague response prompted a debate whether Bell will indeed be a Jet next season.
Jets brass listened to trade offers for Bell prior to the trade deadline, but Douglas sent a clear message that he wasn't shopping Bell around.
"(He) took his time out to call me," Bell said on the 17 Weeks podcast in October, via Pro Football Talk. "He kind of told me that they weren't really shopping me in a sense but teams kind of inquired about me before the trade deadline. And, you know, he was honest with me, he said he was open to it. But like I said earlier, teams were really asking for a lot and he wasn't really trying to give me up for something he didn't feel like would help the New York Jets in the future. And he obviously feels like I'm a player who can help turn this team around."
