New York Jets head coach Adam Gase says he was not against the team giving Le’Veon Bell a massive contract in free agency.
After the Jets fired former general manager Mike Maccagnan, there were reports that Gase wanted him out and disagreed with a number of moves Maccagnan made, one of them being the decision to sign Bell. On Thursday, Gase tried to put some of that talk to rest.
Adam Gase on Le'Veon Bell's contract: "The contract was what it was. Everybody can criticize the contract all you want, but he's here. I'm excited he's here … When you get a chance to coach a great player, I'm excited for that opportunity."
But did the Jets overpay? "No."
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) May 23, 2019
Gase also addressed the speculation that the Jets could try to trade Bell now that Maccagnan is gone.
Jets coach Adam Gase asked about idea that Le'Veon Bell could be dealt …
Gase: "That's ridiculous."
Reporter: "So that's not gonna happen?"
Gase: "No."
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) May 23, 2019
The Jets have already paid Bell a signing bonus and a bunch of guaranteed money, so trading him was never really an option. That doesn’t mean Gase agreed with signing him to a huge contract.
If what was reported about the way Gase acted during the draft was accurate, the issues between him and Maccagnan had to do with a lot more than just the Bell signing. Even if Gase thinks the money would have been better spent elsewhere, he might as well get the most out of Bell while he has him.
