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Former Pittsburgh Steelers' former Pittsburgh halfback, "Veon Bell, intends to sign a $ 52.5 million four-year contract with the New York Jets," said Adam. Schefter, of the American league, a league source.
The deal includes a $ 35 million guarantee, a maximum value of nearly $ 61 million, including incentives, said a source.
Bell, who was training in South Florida, confirmed that he would join the Jets in an Instagram post late Tuesday night, shortly after releasing an album:
Bell, who shocked the NFL by staying on the franchise label all season 2018 after not agreeing on a new deal last summer, officially became a free agent when the Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert chose not to give him a transition label. for the 2019 season.
After totaling nearly 2,000 rushing yards in the 2017 season, Bell has chosen to avoid the $ 14.5 million franchise tag in 2018 – giving up about 855,000 $ per match – to preserve its long-term viability for a big free agency contract this season.
Several other teams would be interested in Bell, including the San Francisco 49ers, who have made a firm offer and engaged in a fierce fight with the Jets in recent hours, sources told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
But the Jets appeared in the lead on Tuesday night. Not wanting to bid, they stood firm on their offer, said a source to Rich Cimini, ESPN.
Twice all-pro, Bell had used social media to interact with potential contenders, using emoticons to make indirect contact with the Indianapolis Colts and the Baltimore Ravens, among others. The Ravens never offered him, a source told Schefter.
Bell's $ 13.25 million annual average salary for the Jets would put him in second place in the NFL, behind Todd Gurley's $ 14.37 million average.
The Jets are waiting for Bell to instantly improve an attack that finished 29th and 26th overall. They also believe that he will be the perfect partner for quarterback Sam Darnold because of his dual threat.
While the 27-year-old running veteran brings some luggage to New York, it's also an interesting bet for a team that is desperate to win.
The Jets, who had been postponed Tuesday by Anthony Barr, reached an agreement with DE Henry Anderson on a three-year deal worth $ 25.2 million, a source told ESPN.
Anthony Barr decided to stay with the Vikings rather than signing with the Jets, a confirmed ESPN source.
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By finishing 4-12 last season, which resulted in the ouster of coach Todd Bowles, the Jets only produced two rushing 100-yard racing days, both by Isaiah Crowell. Crowell set the franchise record in one game with 219 yards in a home game against the Denver Broncos in October, but disappeared for the rest of the season.
Crowell will likely be released before Friday, when $ 2 million of his $ 4 million base salary will be guaranteed. The backfield will include Bell, Elijah McGuire and Trenton Cannon.
The Jets have not beaten 1,000 yards since Chris Ivory in 2015. They have not had a rider with Bell's skills since Curtis Martin, a big free agent who signed between 1998 and 2005. Bell said Martin , a Pro Football Hall of Famer, was his idol when he was a kid.
The Jets have spent a busy time with free players, who have signed deals with four offending players: Bell; wide receivers Jamison Crowder and Josh Bellamy; and guard Kelechi Osemele (via trade). In defense, they finalized an agreement with linebacker C. Bowley, Pro Bowl.
Bell's average of 128.9 yards per game between 2013 and 2017 is the highest in the NFL since the first five seasons of her career since the NFL's merger with the AFL in 1970. period he accumulated 5,336 yards and 35 touchdowns and 312 passes for 2,660 yards and seven other scores.
The heated negotiations that have taken place over the last two years have created a distance between Bell and the Steelers. He missed the training camp in 2017 when both parties failed to reach a contract. He finally played with a $ 12.12 million franchise, racking up 1,291 yards and nine touchdowns, while receiving 85 passes for 655 yards and two touchdowns.
After the 2017 season, Bell has shown its conviction by refusing an offer of $ 70 million over five years because of what it called a $ 17 million low collateral. He was able to miss matches because he was not signed and so was not held by the team.
The Steelers, who have been successful in the backfield last season with the Pro Bowl selection, James Conner, and Jaylen Samuels' backing, will receive a compensating choice in 2020 for the loss of Bell, which could be worth up to $ 30,000. to a third round selection.
After spending the 2018 season, Bell, three Pro Bowl selections, correctly argues that the Steelers will not award him a franchise label for the third time in a row.
The players were surprised when Bell was not at the rendezvous for week 1 and his own offensive line tore him apart for his absence. Guard Ramon Foster and center Maurkice Pouncey both described the move as selfish. A veteran player told ESPN anonymously: "He screwed us up." After the tensions subsided, many players said they would like Bell's return.
At one point last season, Bell, who turned 27 in February, planned to play for the Steelers. On October 1, he told ESPN: "I will be fully engaged and I will give you everything I have" when I return, to "go there and win a Super Bowl with the Steelers".
But the Steelers have considered negotiating with Bell before the deadline of October 30, which could have affected his plans. No exchange was possible without Bell's signature.
Throughout the off-season, the Steelers seemed to be focusing more on value than on the hope that Bell would play again in Pittsburgh. When asked in November what would happen if Bell never returned to the Steelers, coach Mike Tomlin simply replied, "so be it."
The Jets will welcome the Steelers next season, as well as the former Pittsburgh star Antonio Brown and the Oakland Raiders.
Rich Cimini of ESPN and Jeremy Fowler contributed to this report.
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