Jets' Bell on relationship with Gase: 'We actually like each other'

New York Jets running back Le'Veon Bell said he doesn't know where the speculation is coming from regarding a strained relationship between him and head coach Adam Gase.

"I don't understand why everybody is trying to put me and Gase against each other," Bell told reporters Thursday, including Rich Cimini of ESPN. "We're not against each other. I don't understand why it's so hard to believe, but we actually like each other."

Bell added: "Ever since I got here and he got here, there's kind of been this little thing of me and him butting heads all the time, which I don't know where it comes from ... We had a long conversation (last week) because basically people (blew) it out of proportion because I did make the tweet."

Bell was frustrated after the Jets pulled him out of practice last week for precautionary reasons. The three-time Pro Bowler took to Twitter to deny he was sidelined because of a hamstring issue, as Gase announced.

The coach later said they had a "good talk" about the incident.

"It was no big deal," Bell said. "It was just a miscommunication between me, the trainers, and coach Gase. But I just want to really clear it up for everybody, fantasy owners, and everybody: my hamstring is fine."

The Jets signed Bell to a four-year, $52.5-million deal in March 2019, but it was reported two months later that Gase was against the idea of investing significant money in a running back.

Bell and Gase both underachieved in their debuts for the Jets last year. The 28-year-old runner amassed career lows of 3.2 yards per carry and three rushing touchdowns while New York logged their fourth straight losing campaign.

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