Le’Veon Bell signing with the Chiefs to create elite backfield

Days after his release from the New York Jets, Le’Veon Bell is choosing to sign with the defending Super Bowl champions

Earlier this week, reports surfaced that the New York Jets were shopping running back Le’Veon Bell, who signed a $52.5 million contract just last year. After the team had no takers, they opted to release him on Tuesday, making him a free agent. On Thursday, there was buzz that Bell was choosing to sign between three teams, which dwindled down to two later in the day. Now, we have a final answer.

According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, Bell is signing a one-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, the defending Super Bowl champions. Financial details have not been revealed as of this writing. Schefter says that Bell prioritized winning a Super Bowl this season, and the Chiefs gave him the best chance to do so.

The other teams that pursued Bell were the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills.

Bell’s addition to Chiefs offense is officially overkill

Bell won’t be suiting up for the Chiefs this Monday against the Buffalo Bills, because he has to pass the NFL’s COVID-19 protocol, which includes five days of testing. So, he’ll be deemed ready to make his Chiefs debut in Week 7 on the road against the Denver Broncos. Ironically, Bell’s first game at Arrowhead Stadium in a Chiefs uniform will come in Week 8 against…the Jets.

A lot of fantasy football players who happen to have rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire are groaning and lamenting this news, but it made sense for Kansas City. The rookie out of LSU has struggled in red zone situations, as his only touchdown came in the team’s regular-season opener against the Houston Texans. Bell is expected to work as the red zone back for Kansas City to help put more points on the board.

Prior to the Bell signing, Kansas City averaged 119.4 rushing yards per game (13th in league) and 4.5 yards per carry (11th in league). But, the Chiefs have only tallied four touchdowns on the ground. In his two games with the Jets this season, Bell rushed for 74 yards on 19 carries, while hauling in three passes for 39 yards.

As if the Chiefs offense wasn’t overkill enough, they now added Le’Veon Bell as yet another weapon for quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Best of luck to every team that matches up with Kansas City for the remainder of this season.