5 teams that could trade for Jets running back Le’Veon Bell

4. New England Patriots

The Patriots are undergoing a transition offensively, with Jarrett Stidham taking over for Tom Brady. Sony Michel is the lead early down back, with James White as the passing down guy. Michel is recovering from foot surgery in May though, which may push Bill Belichick to take a look at other options. Between now and Week 1, if not into the season if Michel is slow to recover or struggles, Leonard Fournette could be a trade target.

Behind a better offensive line, which is actually true for the Jets now, Bell should naturally be an improved runner this year. His value in the passing game (a still solid 7.0 yards per catch in 2019) and reliability (nine fumbles in his career on over 1,800 touches) is appealing too.

For better or worse, with Luke Falk and a “seeing ghosts” Sam Darnold playing quarterback for the Jets, the Patriots saw Bell twice in the first seven weeks last year. They don’t play the Jets until November this year, which is of course after the trade deadline as currently scheduled.

If Belichick calls Jets general manager Joe Douglas about Bell, that should be a red flag. Belichick and company is rarely wrong when tabbing who a player is or can be, not who he used to be, and running backs like Corey Dillon and LeGarrette Blount have had solid second acts in New England. It would be Bell’s third act if/when he lands elsewhere, but the broader point stands. Bell to the Patriots is a possibility.