Le'Veon Bell on Jets Trade Rumors: '4 More Years' Barring Something 'Drastic'

The New York Jets may not be sold on Le'Veon Bell as their running back of the future, but the three-time Pro Bowler appears committed to his team. 

Bell told TMZ Sports his relationship with coach Adam Gase is "good" after their exit meeting and he plans on being with the Jets in 2020 "unless something drastic changes."

"We're gonna see how things go, obviously, in the offseason," Bell said. "But, me and coach Gase had our exit meeting. It was fine, so we straight. Yeah, we good."

"... Everybody blowing everything out of proportion. ... It's water under the bridge—we're fine. We good. ... Jets for four more years unless something drastic changes."

Bell added that the rumors regarding his future don't bother him. The Jets signed Bell to a four-year, $52.5 million contract last offseason, despite rumors Gase did not want to make the signing. Gase's support of Bell throughout a difficult 2019 season was tepid at best, and he only further fueled rumors of a rift by declining to say he wants Bell back in 2020.

"He's under contract for three more years," Gase told reporters in December at his exit meeting. "You can ask [GM Joe Douglas] tomorrow. ... I'm not in charge of personnel."

The Jets fired general manager Mike Maccagnan, who signed Bell to his contract, last May. Joe Douglas took over in June. 

Bell is due a guaranteed roster bonus of $4.5 million and a base salary of $8.5 million in 2020. The Jets would incur a $17 million cap hit if they released Bell, so a trade would be more likely if they do decide to move on.

Finding suitors for Bell wouldn't be easy given his lack of production in 2019, which came after he sat out the entire 2018 season. Bell rushed for 789 yards and three touchdowns, adding 66 receptions for 461 yards and a score, numbers that paled in comparison to his All-Pro form in Pittsburgh. Football Outsiders' DVOA metric ranked him as the 44th best running back out of 45 qualifying players in 2019. 

While the Jets' offensive line struggles played a factor, it was clear Bell's year out of football did him no favors. However, Bell and Gase may be stuck together in 2020 regardless of whether either party likes it or not.