Le’Veon Bell signed with the Jets and social media was quick to remind him that he bet on himself and lost in a big way that’ll hurt his bank account.
The best deal that Le’Veon Bell got from the Jets (4 years, $52 million) is a major concession from the former All-Pro that sitting out last season was a colossal mistake. He bet on himself and lost. He gave up $14.5 million he would have earned on the Steelers franchise tag after declining their offer that would have been the biggest for a back in NFL history.
Nevertheless, he can’t get that money back but he can move forward to resuming a career that saw him average 129 yards from scrimmage to start his career, an NFL record.
Signing with the Jets was always the front-runner for Bell but the Oakland Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers all had shown some degree of interest during the legal tampering window of NFL free agency.
Now that the news has come down from Adam Schefter after the stroke of midnight on the east coast, the world that stayed up late for the news, was full of extreme reactions to Bell signing with the J-E-T-S. Let’s start the social media reaction with the man himself saying he’s back in green, referencing his college career at Michigan State.
I’m back in the green baby, let’s get it
— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) March 13, 2019
While Bell and Jets fans are excited, Albert Breer was quick to point out Bell’s decision to sit out was some really bad advice.
Le'Veon Bell had over $15 million per on the table with the Steelers in July. Walked away from $14.54 million after that. Not great decision-making.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 13, 2019
In case you were wondering, the Jets host the Steelers this year, and you can expect that to be on primetime TV.
Mark your calendars for that game when the schedules are released and make sure you get your hands on what promises to be one of the hotter tickets in the NFL this year.
In case you’re wondering, the 2019 NFL schedule does, in fact, have the Jets hosting the Steelers.
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) March 13, 2019
Of course, this has to be Adam Gase’s reaction to learning he’ll be coaching Bell and have him in the same backfield as Sam Darnold.
— Out of Bounds (@SI_outofbounds) March 13, 2019
The big news was even noticed by the NBA version of Schefter, Adrian Wojnarowski who acknowledged the Schefty bomb.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 13, 2019
A few other assorted reactions is a mix of good and bad and in the case of the last two, very funny.
This is pretty funny because the concept of cocky Browns fans after trading for Odell Beckham Jr. is a marvelous development for the NFL.
https://twitter.com/jmillz_glock/status/1105686396029861893
https://twitter.com/Chuk_Chillout/status/1105687365253808133
Do they need to talk about it?
The Steelers lost Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown for a 3rd and a 5th round pick
— Cameron Magruder (@ScooterMagruder) March 13, 2019
This isn’t gonna come back to haunt him, is it?
How about this?
Le'Veon Bell: 4 years, $52.5 million with the Jets.
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) March 13, 2019
Also Le'Veon Bell: pic.twitter.com/kOOZ1gThwz
Now that Bell has his home, the biggest chip left on the free agent market might be Earl Thomas who could be eying a deal with the Browns.