One significant factor behind the New York Jets decision to release LeVeon Bell this past week was the $8 million injury guarantee in the running backs agreement for 2021, league sources told ESPN.
Had Bell suffered a long-term injury, the Jets likely would have been on the hook for an extra $8 million in 2021, when they desired to cut their currently pricey losses.
Rather than keeping Bell on their roster up till the Nov. 3 trade deadline, when the Jets may have been able to recover a late-round draft pick for the dissatisfied former Pro Bowler, they opted to release him this past Tuesday.
1 RelatedLeague sources believe that any type of injury to Bell might have resulted in an extended disagreement between him and the Jets over the $8 million injury warranty. Bell already has discovered a new home in Kansas City with the Chiefs, who included him on an one-year agreement Thursday.
Bell, a three-time Pro Bowl choice, was a disappointment since signing a four-year, $52.5 million contract last year with the Jets, balancing just 3.3 yards per carry– 51st out of 53 qualifying runners in the NFL throughout that span.
The Jets are accountable for the remaining $6 million on Bells 2020 base pay, however there is an offset clause that will settle it by the amount of the salary on his brand-new agreement with the Chiefs. Bell will have a $1 million base salary along with up to $1 million in playing time and playoff incentives, a source informed ESPNs Jeremy Fowler. The base pay will be prorated for the 5 video games Bell was not on the Chiefs, suggesting he will make around $690,000.
