One offseason move each NFL team must make

New York Jets-Sign Le’Veon Bell

Now that the Jets seem to have a long-term answer at quarterback, the next step is to add talent around Sam Darnold. They are flush with the cap space to do it (just over $96 million, via Spotrac), and rumors have lingered regarding a run at Bell come March.

About a year ago, before the Steelers franchise tagged him again and he sat out the entire 2018 season, Bell somewhat jokingly let it out how he felt about playing for the Jets. In response to a tweet from a fan joking offering to pay him $60 million to play for the team, Bell said “that ain’t enough to come run with the Jets.”

The Jets seems sure to cut Isaiah Crowell, and Elijah McGuire is a nice back but hardly a star at this point in his career. A move for Bell changes the narrative around the entire franchise, and any moves to add an offensive lineman and a wide receiver (multiple of each?) in free agency would not be prevented.

Bell carries some risk for whatever team brings him aboard this offseason, with the lingering rest vs. rust question after he sat out a season and how truly motivated he’ll be to perform after getting a big contract. But to steal a bit from ESPN’s Rich Cimini, signing Bell is a move the Jets can’t afford not to make.