Hold on to your pants — a surprise suitor has emerged in the Le’Veon Bell sweepstakes.
Just over 24 hours after the New York Jets released the two-time All-Pro running back, the Kansas City Chiefs are now considered the favorite to land Bell, as reported by KOA Colorado NFL reporter Benjamin Allbright on Wednesday night.
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Chiefs Named Among 5 Finalists to Sign Bell
ESPN senior reporter and former Pittsburgh Steelers beat writer Jeremy Fowler first hinted at Kansas City’s rumored interest in Bell earlier on Wednesday.
Le’Veon Bell prioritizing role in offense and chances to win among part of his free agency evaluation. Many people around league believe Chiefs will have interest because of fit. Bell trains in Miami so perhaps Dolphins a consideration.
Furthermore, Kansas City 610 Sports radio host Bob Fescoe has since reported that the 29-year-old NFL star is expected to make his decision late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. The defending Super Bowl champions and four others — the Chicago Bears, Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins — make up the five final teams Bell will choose between.
@BKDenverSports Bears, Raiders, Patriots, Dolphins
Soren Petro, a host and reporter at Sports Radio 810 WHB in Kansas City, has also confirmed the team’s interest, but noted that Bell is not currently in town for a physical, contrary to other unconfirmed reports.
I’ve seen some reports that Le’Veon Bell is in town for a physical. I’ve been told this is not true. There is interest on the Chiefs part. It’s been characterized to me that the Chiefs are one of 4 or 5 teams in the mix. Bell is expected to make a decision on a team tomorrow.
Chris Jones Recruited Bell to K.C. on Tuesday (Again)
Chiefs Pro Bowl DT Chris Jones did not waste much time making his pitch to the highly-coveted free agent on Tuesday, posting a simple message to his Twitter account about an hour after the Jets’ sudden decision to cut ties with Bell less than two seasons into a four-year, $52.5 million contract.
This is not the first time Jones has attempted to lure Bell to Kansas City via social media either. The pair have worked out together for at least the past two offseasons, as evidenced by Jones’ first recruitment video in March 2019, about one week before Bell elected to sign with New York.
Last November, Bell revealed in an interview with Nate Burleson on the UNINTERRUPTED “17 Weeks” show on SiriusXM that Kansas City was one of the teams to show interest in trading for his services in 2019. However, the Jets’ asking price, as well as the price tag associated with the Bell’s contract, were breaking points for the Chiefs.
“There were teams like Houston, the Packers, the Kansas City Chiefs — and surprisingly the Steelers — [that] were all in the mix of trying to trade for me,” Bell told Burleson. “And from what I heard — and I understand — was the Jets were really asking for a high price.”
Now Kansas City has another opportunity to sign the three-time Pro Bowler, this time on the cheap as it the front office navigates the remainder of its $6.58 million in available salary cap space.
The Jets’ mishandling of the once-elite playmaker could ultimately be working in the Chiefs’ favor, as Bell may be more willing to take a more economical contract with a serious Super Bowl contender knowing that he’s still owed $6 million from New York in 2020. That in addition to the $27 million the Jets paid him to appear in just 17 games over the past two seasons.
Le’Veon Bell’s tenure with the Jets ends as such:
* 17 games played
* 264 rushes (none longer than 19 yards)
* 0 100-yard rushing games
* 4 total touchdowns
* And $27M paid
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Chiefs Emerge As Favorite to Sign Le’Veon Bell Over 4 Other Teams: Report