Expensive Bell shows no signs of rust

Associated Press

FLORHAM PARK, N.J.

Le’Veon Bell took a screen pass from Sam Darnold, shifted around some would-be tacklers and scooted down the sideline for a big gain.

Nope, no sign of rust here.

While it was just an early moment in the New York Jets’ first training camp practice Thursday, it’s the type of scenario Bell and the Jets envision playing out over and over again this season.

“I felt good,” the running back said. “Yesterday, I did the conditioning test twice. So, yeah, I feel good.”

That’s a positive sign for Bell, who sat out all last season during a contract dispute with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He signed a four-year, $52.5 million contract with the Jets in March, but there were questions about how the long layoff might affect him — and whether he’d be the same type of dominant dual-threat backfield presence he was for five seasons in Pittsburgh.

Bell led the NFL with an eye-popping 406 touches in 2017, and he’s ready for a similar workload with the Jets.

“I mean, I’m up for 500 if it’s going to take us to the Super Bowl,” Bell said with a laugh. “It don’t matter how many touches I get. I’m just trying to win games. If I have 19 touches and we win the Super Bowl, you think I’d care?

“I just want to go out there and do what I can to help this team win games.”

Bell worked out with a personal trainer during New York’s voluntary workouts, and rejoined his teammates for mandatory minicamp last month.

Coach Adam Gase said the Jets will be “smart” with Bell’s workload in camp, but it’s clear the running back is happy to be back on the field.

“Man, I couldn’t wait,” he said. “I’ve been itching for a year. Just the fact that I was back out here, it’s a step. I think the next step’s going to be tomorrow and we have to put pads on and stuff like that. So, I’m going to take each and every day one day at a time and go from there, but I feel good.”

Added Gase: “It was like he hasn’t missed a beat. Walked in, knows what’s going on, looked good, caught the ball well, ran the ball well. You can’t tell that he’s missed any time.”

Bell last played in a game on Jan. 14, 2018, in a playoff loss to Jacksonville — more than 18 months ago. He ran for 67 yards and a touchdown in that game, and caught nine passes for 88 yards and a score. Many considered Bell the best all-around running back in the NFL at the time, and it was tough to argue.

Others have now entered that conversation, such as the Cowboys’ Ezekiel Elliott, the Giants’ Saquon Barkley, the Rams’ Todd Gurley, and the Saints’ Alvin Kamara.