Mortensen: 49ers potentially interested in The & # 39; Veon Bell; Jets Clear Favorites | Bleacher's report

The & # 39; Veon Bell is finally on the open market, and several teams are interested in signing the contract with the former Pittsburgh Steelers.

According to Chris Mortensen of ESPN (via Evan Silva of Rotoworld), the New York Jets are favorites to sign Bell, but the San Francisco 49ers are also interested in him.

Ralph Vacchiano of SNY added some other possibilities to Bell:

Of all the options, the Jets and 49ers may have the most meaning. They could both use an offensive playmaker like Bell and have plenty of free space.

By SpotracSan Francisco ranks seventh in the league with approximately $ 54.2 million available, while the Jets rank second with $ 80.9 million. Each of the two teams could use part of this limit to add a player who can improve his attack and help his franchise quarterback.

The Jets did not have a single player at least 1,000 yards from the scrum last season. Promising players such as wide receiver Robby Anderson and halfback Isaiah Crowell were inconsistent, while veterans did not have much impact.

The addition of Bell, who has passed 1,800 rushing yards in each of his last three full seasons, could relieve Sam Darnold and saddle an offensive that finished 29th overall. last year.

The 49ers awarded Jerick McKinnon a four-year contract worth $ 30 million last March, but he tore his ACL in the pre-season and missed the entire 2018 campaign. Matt Breida showed potential in his place, although he is pale compared to Bell, the twice-superior Pro team.

If San Francisco releases McKinnon after June 1, he will be able to save $ 3.75 million on the 2019 cap per year. Spotrac.

Although Bell missed the entire 2018 season due to a contractual dispute, he made the difference. It could have a huge impact for one or the other of these teams.