New York Jets are taking an unusual approach trying to help their running back Le’Veon Bell return to form after a disappointing 2019 NFL season. Instead of giving him more carries, the Jets are looking to reduce Bell’s load this year.
Bell joined the Jets in 2019 on a four-year, $52.5 million contract, but failed to make a significant impact. He averaged a career-low 3.2 yards per carry and scored just three touchdowns.
Now, in order to unlock his running back’s potential, Jets’ head coach Adam Gase will give Bell more help in the backfield.
“I do think we have some guys that can help maybe lessen the load on [Bell] to where it’s not all on him,” Gase told ESPN in a recent interview. “Hopefully, we can get some of the younger backs to where we can make a good one-two punch to where we can really excel instead of feeling like it’s just all on him all the time.”
Gase also added that he wants to “emphasize what [Bell] does extremely well and get him the ball in those situations.”
It remains unclear who will actually be Le’Veon Bell’s “partner in crime” among the running backs that New York Jets have on their roster. Besides this year’s fourth-round pick La’Mical Perine, Jets have veteran Kenneth Dixon and second-year player Josh Adams, who have less than 1,500 career-rushing yards combined.
It’s likely that the Jets will get on the trade market in order to try and find their No.2 back. One of the most intriguing candidates might be Jacksonville Jaguars’ Leonard Fournette, who is reportedly available for a cut-down price.
