AFC East: New England Patriots have a Le’Veon Bell problem
The New York Jets added some ground power with Le’Veon Bell’s plan to join the team. What does this mean for the New England Patriots?
There may be a reason why the New England Patriots traded for defensive lineman Michael Bennett beyond the need for a pass rusher.
While the rest of the league is making moves during the NFL legal tampering period, Bill Belichick is sitting back and possibly planning moves based on what the team’s biggest competition does, that includes the AFC East.
On Wednesday morning, one of the NFL’s biggest free agents announced his intention to sign with the New York Jets.
Former Steelers’ RB Le’Veon Bell plans to sign with…the New York Jets, a league source tells ESPN
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2019
That means the Patriots will face Le’Veon Bell twice this season and will have to prepare defending him as one of the league’s best rushers from the line of scrimmage and also a back who can catch out of the backfield.
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Belichick and the Patriots defense are well aware of what Bell can do from their battles with the Pittsburgh Steelers through the years. However, a motivated and healthy Le’Veon Bell could present more of a problem playing within the AFC East than he did with the Steelers.
That’s why the 4-year, $52.5 million deal seems like somewhat of a bargain for the Jets, a team that is making some big moves this offseason. Under new head coach Adam Gase, Bell will undoubtedly be featured just as much if not more than he was in Pittsburgh. On a defensively solid team that already featured running the ball, having Le’Veon Bell to hand the ball off to should help second-year quarterback Sam Darnold progress in his second season in the NFL.
Good for the Jets, but how does this change Bill Belichick’s approach?
After losing Trey Flowers in free agency, the New England Patriots will need to beef up the front seven beyond Bennett. As running the ball and controlling the clock has been the formula to beating the Patriots in 2018, there is no doubt more teams are going to focus on that in 2019.
Simply put, the Patriots has to add more beef and speed along the defensive line and on the linebacker level. While some of that is expected to be addressed in the 2019 NFL Draft, there are some free agents still available who can help add depth and speed to the front seven. One of those players is former Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins.
Will Le’Veon Bell joining their AFC East rivals change the type of players Bill Belichick now targets in both free agency and the draft?
You better believe it. It’s highly possible the future Hall-of-Fame coach is already ahead of the ball there with the Michael Bennett trade.
Patriots vs. Bell
The New England Patriots didn’t have to worry about Le’Veon Bell in 2018 as he sat out the entire season, but the team has been just okay against the star running back when he is healthy.
Next. New England Patriots: Michael Bennett trade a major move. dark
In three career games against the Patriots, Bell has averaged 90.7 rushing yards and 4.46 yards per carry. He has averaged 9.53 yards per catch against the team which could give them problems in Gase’s offense.
As Belichick has praised Bell over the years, there is no doubt he knows the challenge he now presents playing within the AFC East.
In other words, it’s now your move Bill Belichick.