‘It is what it is’: Former Jets running back Le'Veon Bell signs with Chiefs as team preps for Miami

Former New York Jets running back Le'Veon Bell has signed with the Kansas City Chiefs after the team let him go this week.

News 12 Staff

Oct 16, 2020, 1:24 PM

Updated 1,531 days ago

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Former New York Jets running back Le'Veon Bell has signed with the Kansas City Chiefs after the team let him go this week.
When the Jets signed Bell in 2019, there was excitement for the struggling franchise, but over the course of just 19 months, the excitement is turning to frustration as the team released the running back.
“We just felt like it was best that we part ways,” says Jets head coach Adam Gase. “It gives him an opportunity to go somewhere else. I want nothing but the best for him."
Bell took to social media Sunday following the Jets' loss to Arizona, liking tweets that said he wasn't being utilized properly. Bell then met with Gase and general manager Joe Douglas.
“It is what it is, it's the decision we made and we're moving on to this one,” says Gase.
Bell signed a four-year, $52.5 million deal last year, but didn't live up to the hype. In just 17 games, he rushed for less than 900 yards and three touchdowns. He spent most of this season injured. Quarterback Sam Darnold says he loved having Bell as a teammate.
“Me and him texted each other after it happened and just said that I loved playing with him and again, wished him nothing but the best,” says Darnold.
Darnold will miss week six, as his shoulder continues to heal, but when he does return, he'll have running backs Frank Gore and rookie La’Mical Perine as weapons.
“Getting Perine really involved is going to be critical for us,” says Gase.
Despite being 0-5 and the lowest scoring offense in the league, Gase says he's not too worried about the rest of his guys.
“I think our locker room is pretty good right now,” says Gase.
Bell is the second Jets player to leave the team after voicing frustration with Gase. Safety Jamal Adams was traded to Seattle in July.
The Jets will travel to Miami Sunday.