10 teams that could sign Le'Veon Bell

The New York Jets cut running back Le'Veon Bell on Tuesday evening after failing to find a trade partner.

Bell's large contract was reportedly the primary impediment to a trade, and the offset language in his Jets deal makes it likely he'll sign with a new team for the veteran minimum while continuing to collect the approximately $6 million New York still owes him.

Most NFL teams could find a use for Bell on a minimum deal, but these 10 clubs stand out as the best fits and most likely destinations for the two-time All-Pro:

Steelers

It would certainly be awkward, but let's not forget Pittsburgh reportedly inquired about trading for its former bell-cow running back at the deadline last year. Bell's best seasons came while with the Steelers, who allowed him to approach the line of scrimmage with his patented patience and glide between the tackles, the strength of their offensive line. He recorded three campaigns with 1,800-plus total yards in Pittsburgh.

The Steelers aren't suffering without Bell, but they're also not better off. James Conner has struggled to stay healthy, and he isn't a game-breaker on Bell's level. The depth behind Conner is pedestrian at best, too, as Anthony McFarland, Benny Snell Jr., and Jaylen Samuels haven't proven to be major contributors.

The most appealing aspect of a Steelers-Bell reunion from the team's perspective is that Conner is a pending free agent, and Bell knows better than anyone that Pittsburgh doesn't want to pay a premium for a running back. The Steelers could be inclined to let Conner go and then renegotiate a more manageable salary with Bell, who no longer possesses the same leverage he had in previous contract disputes with Pittsburgh.

Cardinals Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

Arizona injected life into its offense last season with a deadline deal for Kenyan Drake. The former Dolphins misfit rushed for 110 yards and a touchdown just days after the trade, quickly grabbing the starting job over David Johnson. He finished that year averaging 5.2 yards per carry with eight touchdowns across eight games in the desert. Johnson was traded in the offseason, and Drake returned on a one-year, $8.48-million contract as the presumptive feature back.

The early production from Drake in 2020 has been less than stellar (3.7 yards per carry), and his short-term contract won't prohibit Arizona from searching for another midseason addition to spark its offense.

Kyler Murray's time is now, and the Cardinals know it. They boosted Murray's receiving arsenal this offseason with the blockbuster acquisition of DeAndre Hopkins. Dealing for Bell could do the same for the club's backfield, and his elite receiving skills make him a tantalizing fit in Kliff Kingsbury's pass-heavy Air Raid offense.

Washington

Washington head coach Ron Rivera alluded to the NFC East's openness as one reason he made a quarterback switch prior to Week 5. Acquiring a three-time Pro Bowler like Bell would certainly fall in line with that approach. At 1-4, Washington remains just one game back of the now Dak Prescott-less Cowboys. As the Eagles and Giants deal with their own issues, the division crown seems within reach.

While rookie tailback Antonio Gibson has been a pleasant surprise as a runner and receiver, a one-two punch of Gibson and Bell would reach another level. Both players are excellent pass-catchers - a skill that offensive coordinator Scott Turner showed he can maximize during his days coaching Christian McCaffrey in Carolina.

Seahawks Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

The Seahawks didn't possess enough cap space to trade for Bell and the $6.4 million remaining on his 2020 deal. But the equation changes now that he'll likely come very cheap.

Adding Bell would give Seattle an incredible tandem when he's put alongside Chris Carson. He would help to ease Carson's workload, and Bell would be an immediate upgrade over veteran Carlos Hyde, who missed the last two games due to injury.

Bell has hinted that the Jets' struggles frustrated him, and he wants to win. There may not be a better opportunity to do that than with the undefeated Seahawks.

Chiefs

Clyde Edwards-Helaire was the talk of the town in Week 1 following his magnificent debut, but he's been mostly bottled up since. If their rushing attack is the Chiefs' one offensive weakness, why not jump at the chance to add a player of Bell's caliber?

It may be hard to envision because of how bad he looked in the Jets' rigid offense, but Bell's skill set would fit perfectly in Kansas City. His route-running abilities would give Andy Reid yet another matchup advantage to exploit, and Bell's running style is tailored for an offensive line with synergy.

49ers Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The 49ers couldn't afford to trade for Bell and his remaining salary, but now that his price tag will probably be lower, Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch could be licking their chops. San Francisco was linked to Bell before he signed with the Jets, and the team likely still believes he's a fit for Shanahan's zone-running scheme.

Raheem Mostert has been a revelation in the Bay Area, but Tevin Coleman can't stay healthy, and Jerick McKinnon comes with major health concerns too. Signing Bell could allow the 49ers to go all-in as a running team to help mask some of Jimmy Garoppolo's recent struggles.

Dolphins

The Dolphins are far from contenders, so if winning games is Bell's primary motivation, he'll likely be looking elsewhere. But Bell reportedly loves the city of Miami, which might help make the Dolphins a more attractive destination.

Miami's running back depth chart may be the NFL's thinnest. Myles Gaskin, a 2019 seventh-round pick, has started ahead of Matt Breida and Jordan Howard recently, but all three would be hard-pressed to get on the field for most teams.

Buccaneers Matthew Stockman / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Bucs know their Tom Brady era - and the Super Bowl window that comes with it - will be short-lived, so they've been stocking their roster with veterans. That extends to the backfield, where LeSean McCoy isn't providing much value and Leonard Fournette can't stay healthy, leaving Ronald Jones as the Buccaneers' primary tailback.

But Jones is a subpar receiver, and Brady has always made good use of a pass-catcher out of the backfield (it was Kevin Faulk early in his career, and James White more recently). Bell would be the best receiving back to ever link up with Brady.

Bills

The Bills are ascending Super Bowl contenders despite receiving relatively paltry production from young running backs Devin Singletary and Zack Moss. The Stefon Diggs trade has instantly become a smashing success, so Buffalo could try adding another player who was a malcontent on his previous team and offering him a fresh start.

Patriots Maddie Meyer / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Patriots are seemingly always on the lookout for bargains on veteran reclamation projects, and it's not like their running back room is overflowing with stars.

Is Bell a fit? It's tough to say. But concerns about players conforming to "The Patriot Way" are often vastly overblown. There were few Cam Newton suitors until the Patriots came calling, reportedly due to his abrasive personality. Now he's been a model employee while thriving when healthy this season.

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