Is Le’Veon Bell’s best fit with the Chicago Bears?

Is the Windy City blowing Le’Veon Bell their way?

The Bell’s ringing because Le’Veon is loose.

The New York Jets elected to part ways with the three-time Pro Bowler, Le’Veon Bell, Tuesday night after 18 games played with mixed results. Bell, who signed a four-year $52.5 million deal last season, might be a free agent, but still will be paid handsomely for not suiting up in gang green.

With the 28-year-old hoping to regain his status as a premier back, the free-agent market could be his for the taking. With over $28 million earned from New York’s contributions to his retirement fund, the best course of action is to head to a contender. On a good day, Bell’s during al-threat ability still makes him a dangerous weapon and No.3 receiver. On his worst day, he’ll at least keep drives alive on short conversions.

The winds of change will have Bell banking on his next time to a contender for a Lombardi. However, what if that breeze blows him right into Soldier Field and the Windy City in Chicago?

Should the Chicago Bears sign Le’Veon Bell? 

The Bears run game is stuck in a time warp of mediocrity and self-inflicted problems. Tarik Cohen will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL, while David Montgomery’s inconsistencies past the line of scrimmage are evident. Through five games, no rushing attack has struggled more than Chicago, who currently ranks in the bottom 10 in rushing yards (477), yards per game (95.4), and have only scored one touchdown.

With Mitchell Trubisky or Nick Foles playing quarterback — or at least trying to — adding more weapons would be key to trust either flimsy arm multiple times a game. In the last two games, the Bears have accumulated a total of 63 yards on 30 carries and finally found the end zone Thursday against the Buccaneers.

As problems continue to rise in the passing games, what’s the harm in ringing up Bell?

There are sounds of silence probably in the minds of Bears’ nation right about now when thinking of Bell’s final season in Pittsburgh. After turning down a ludicrous deal, Bell sat out for the entire 2018 season only to sign for less guaranteed money in the Big Apple. But while one views the runner as a problem, others can’t help to value his potential production.

Through five seasons with the Steelers, Bell managed to finish four years with at least 1,200 total yards, including a 2014 season where he finished with over 2,000 yards and 11 touchdowns. Even in a down year with New York, he stilled compiled 1,250 total yards, with 447 coming after the catch.

The Bears haven’t had a running back — or a player for that matter — surpass 1,250 yards since 2016 during Jordan Howard’s Pro Bowl season.

In Matt Nagy’s system, touches for Bell would likely be similar to that of Cohen. Chicago’s pass-catching weapon in the backfield has finished with at least 600-plus receiving yards in the past three seasons to go along with nine career touchdowns.

The biggest question will come on Nagy and Pace, who ultimately decide if they’ll make the call. The team recently signed Lamar Miller to the practice, who was a two-time 1,000-yard rusher with the Texans before missing 2019 with a torn ACL. When asked about the potential of adding depth in the run game, Nagy felt comfortable with the depth in place.

“We absolutely love our running backs here and our situation and I leave that stuff up to Ryan (Pace),” Nagy said Wednesday.

Bell’s final game with the Jets was a sour one, but perhaps that was more on Adam Gase’s putrid play calls. Against the Cardinals, he finished with 67 total yards on 13 rushes and managed just one catch.

Not RB1 material on any given franchise indeed.

Bell’s status remains unseen, but the Bears need to give Foles or Trubiksy another weapon and alleviate pressure off Allen Robinson. Sure, Miller might make sense, but any struggle as an aerial target should cause concerns.

Chicago is 4-1 thanks to defensive play and sheer luck. How long can that last without an established No.2. Bell’s talent of yesteryear could have the Halas Hall and Chicago’s offense ringing a new tune all the way to the postseason.

The question is, can Pace pay up?