Jets say they’re not looking to trade Le’Veon Bell

The New York Jets are not trading Le’Veon Bell. At least that’s the company line.

On Tuesday, with the entire league in Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine, the New York Jets had their combined half-hour to meet the press. In the time allotted for general manager Joe Douglas and head coach Adam Gase, the question was raised time and again: what’s going to happen with Bell.

With both men, the answer was pushing back on the notion. Despite Bell rushing for only 3.2 yards per carry on 245 attempts (with a meager three touchdowns as well), Douglas doesn’t believe Bell is a player on the downside. Instead, the second-year GM feels the team surrounding Bell was the issue, an answer that makes ample sense considering quarterback Sam Darnold missed over a month with mono, and the offensive line was sub-par. Per NFL.com:

“I wouldn’t say his play declined. His numbers probably aren’t where he would want them to be. I think we need to do a better job of opening holes for him. We need to put him in a good position to be as productive as he was in Pittsburgh.”

As for Gase, he continues to reiterate things between the two parties were good despite rumors throughout the season and into the offseason to the contrary.

The team signed Bell to a four-year deal worth up to $60 million last offseason, before Douglas was hired as GM.

With the Jets trying to build off their 7-9 campaign — in which they finished 6-2 behind a healthy Darnold — Bell will need to regain the form he had with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In Pittsburgh, Bell was a dominant force both as a rusher and receiver, routinely amassing more than 1,500 yards in a season.

With cap space to burn, New York can upgrade the offensive front and add playmakers on the outside, perhaps starting by retaining receiver Robby Anderson.

Beyond that, Douglas also has options in the first round of the NFL Draft, picking 11th. If Anderson walks, the Jets are in dire need of a receiver, but with the depth of the rookie class, Douglas could upgrade at tackle and then double back on Day 2.

With free agency starting March 16, New York has to figure out a course of action. In the interim, it has laid to rest the notion of trading Bell is on the table… unless some team makes an unexpected offer, of course.