New York Jets coach Adam Gase on Thursday dismissed speculation that All-Pro running back Le’Veon Bell was on the trading block as “ridiculous.”
After the Jets fired general manager Mike Maccagnan and named Gase the interim GM last week, there was talk that Gase had objected to Maccagnan’s March signing of Bell to a four-year, $52.5 million deal.
“That’s ridiculous. That’s the first I’ve heard of that,” Gase said during his first news conference since the front-office makeover.
Asked if he would trade Bell, Gase replied, “No.”
Asked if he thought the Jets had overpaid for the 27-year-old former Pittsburgh Steelers star, Gase again said no.
“No, the contract was what it was,” he said. “Everybody can criticize contracts all you want, but he’s here. I’m excited he’s here. I think the players are excited he’s here. I think the coaches are.
“When you get a chance to coach a great player, a guy who has done things nobody else has done in the league, like, we’re excited for that opportunity. I’m excited to get him in the offense so I can start figuring out what else can we do with him, and what he hasn’t done.”
Bell rushed for 5,336 yards and 35 touchdowns and caught 312 passes for 2,660 yards and seven scores in 62 games with the Steelers from 2013-17. He sat out the 2018 season in a contract dispute.
In other team news, rookie defensive tackle Quinnen Williams did not participate in Thursday’s practice session due to a calf injury. The No. 3 pick in the 2019 draft is doing light work on the side, according to multiple reports.
