A hefty injury guarantee for 2021 helped to spur the New York Jets to release running back Le’Veon Bell, ESPN reported Sunday.
Bell’s contract carried an $8 million guarantee for 2021, adding to the buyer’s remorse the team had over signing him to a four-year, $52.5 million deal as a free agent in March 2019.
Rather than take the risk, the Jets decided to release him. The Kansas City Chiefs signed Bell to a one-year deal on Thursday.
Bell, 28, was a two-time All-Pro while spending 2013-17 with the Pittsburgh Steelers, for whom he had three 1,200-plus-yard rushing seasons. He sat out the 2018 season in a salary dispute.
Bell wound up playing 17 games and amassing just 863 rushing yards and four total touchdowns for the Jets, who paid him $28 million.
In two games for New York this season, Bell gained 74 yards on 19 carries and caught three passes for 39 yards.