Jets Favorites on Le’Veon Bell Odds for 2019 NFL Season
After failing to come to terms on a long-term contract extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers, three-time Pro Bowl running back Le’Veon Bell looks likely to test the waters of NFL free agency next year, with the New York Jets emerging as solid +300 favorites on the odds on where Le’Veon Bell will play at the start of the 2019-2020 season.
Talks broke down recently between the Steelers and Bell, who holds an array of franchise records including the single-game mark for most rushing yards, set during a 27-20 win over the Buffalo Bills in December 2016, a game in which he also ran for three touchdowns.
The Steelers had reportedly offered Bell a five-year deal worth $70 million, but which only guaranteed him a $10 million payday in 2018. The offer falls short of the deal recently signed by Los Angeles Rams rusher Todd Gurley, who recently inked a four-year, $60 million contract that includes $45 million of guaranteed money.
Instead, Bell will earn a handsome $14.544 million in 2018 after once again getting slapped with the franchise tag, and he will be free to pursue big dollars as a free agent at the close of the 2018 NFL season.
The 26-year-old earned All-American honors during his three-year collegiate career at Michigan State, and finished third in the NFL in rushing last season, scampering for 1,291 yards and a career-high nine touchdown runs, while adding 655 receiving yards and a pair of scoring receptions.
With a healthy Bell powering the squad’s offense, and listed as a strong +550 wager to lead the NFL in rushing yards, the Steelers are pegged as heavy -280 favorites to finish atop the AFC North division standings for a third straight year, and sit level with the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings at a short +1200 on the Super Bowl 53 odds.
A move by Bell to the Big Apple would be a game changer for the Jets, who averaged just 106.4 rushing yards per game in 2017, and finished the campaign with the NFL’s 28th-ranked team offense. New York continues to lack elite scoring threats entering the 2018 season, and is pegged as a +20000 Super Bowl betting longshot.
Steelers Second on Le’Veon Bell Prop Betting Lines
The possibility remains that Bell eventually comes to terms on a contract extension with Pittsburgh, fueling solid +400 odds on the Le’Veon Bell next team prop. However, a host of other potential destinations remain, with the Indianapolis Colts following at +450 on the odds for Le’Veon Bell’s next NFL team, ahead of the Browns and the Detroit Lions, who sit knotted at +600, and the Houston Texans at +700.
The Colts parted ways in the offseason with veteran rusher Frank Gore, who ran for 961 yards last season, further diminishing an offense that has struggled in the absence of oft-injured passer Andrew Luck. The Browns have been aggressive during the offseason following a dismal 0-16 season in 2017, and currently sit as -150 favorites to sign free agent receiver Dez Bryant.
Further down the Le’Veon Bell prop bet, the Oakland Raiders sit at +900, and the Arizona Cardinals follow at +1100, while the Bills trail as +1200 longshots.
*Odds as of August 2, 2018
