Ex-Buccaneers RB Le’Veon Bell pulls no punches in going after former Jets HC
Le’Veon Bell is one of the best running backs of the era and is currently a free agent. The running back has played for many teams, including the New York Jets. Bell recently took to Twitter to share his thoughts on his time with the Jets and former Jets head coach Adam Gase. One fan commented on Bell's tenure with the Jets, saying he wasn't the same player he was with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The two-time All-Pro responded by saying that Gase's playcalling was the main issue at the time. He also noted that he was a better player on the team. Bell joined the Jets for the 2019-2020 season after a contract dispute with the Steelers caused him to miss the previous season.
I was a better player … it’s just hard to get off when Adam Gase is your coach calling dives on 1st & 10 … he had dives in his first 10 plays twitter.com/itino23/status…
It's not the first time that the three-time Pro Bowler has commented on Gase and his playcalling. Back in May 2021, Bell was a free agent and criticized the then-Jets head coach.
Bell said:
“I don’t consider a ‘HB dive’ on 3rd & short [or] 4th & short EVERY TIME is an opportunity…we line up & they callin out the play, that’s not opportunity. On top of the play being a dive…I can’t make sh*t shake with that.”
Le'Veon Bell was nowhere near the production level he was at in his five seasons with the Steelers. He rushed for 5,336 yards and 35 touchdowns while playing for the Steelers. In three of his five seasons with the Steelers, he had over 1,200 yards rushing.
Le’Veon Bell and his time with the New York Jets
Bell was given a four-year, $52.5 million-dollar contract by the Jets in 2019. He played 15 games in his first season with the New York Jets, rushing for 789 yards and three touchdowns. He led the team in both categories that season. Bell played in just two games in his second season with the team, rushing for 74 yards on 19 carries. In all, Le’Veon Bell had a total of 264 carries under Gase with the Jets.
It's worth noting that the running back led the NFL in carries with 321 during the 2017-2018 season. Le’Veon Bell was cut by the team in October 2020, just 19 months into his contract with the Jets. Needless to say, Le’Veon Bell still has hard feelings about Adam Gase's usage, or lack thereof, with the Jets.
If you use any of the above quotes, please credit the New York Post and H/T Sportskeeda.