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Both Bell and the Chiefs confirmed the news
with tweets about an hour after reports of the deal first broke.
"Kansas City, #ChiefsKingdom, thank you for the opportunity
let's go!" Bell tweeted.
"Welcome to #ChiefsKingdom, @LeVeonBell!" the Chiefs tweeted
shortly afterward.
According to ESPN and NFL Network, the deal is for one year.
Earlier in the day, ESPN reported that Bell, released by the New
York Jets on Tuesday, planned to sign with the Chiefs, Buffalo
Bills or Miami Dolphins. The Jets play each of those teams over
the next three weeks (at Miami on Sunday, followed by a home
game against the Bills on Oct. 25 and a trip to Kansas City on
Nov. 1).
Bell, 28, will be unavailable for the Chiefs' Monday game at
Buffalo as he has to go through five days of COVID-19 testing,
per ESPN.
The high-octane Chiefs (4-1) are averaging 119.4 rushing yards
per game, which is 13th best in the NFL. They are led in the
backfield by rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who tops the team in
carries (81) and rushing yards (344).
Bell carried 13 times for 60 yards in the Jets' 30-10 loss to
the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday after missing the previous three
games with a hamstring injury. In two games this season, the
three-time Pro Bowl selection has 74 yards on 19 carries and
three receptions for 39 yards.
Last season, Bell was a disappointment with a career-low average
of 3.2 yards per carry while rushing for 789 yards and three
touchdowns. He also caught 66 passes for 461 yards and one
score.
Bell topped 1,200 rushing yards three times in five seasons with
the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2013-17 while twice earning
first-team All-Pro honors. He missed the entire 2018 campaign in
a salary dispute after refusing to sign a $14.5 million
franchise tag.
He then signed a four-year, $52.5 million deal as a free agent
with the Jets in March 2019. New York is reportedly still on the
hook for the remaining $6 million on Bell's base pay for this
season. ESPN reported that some of that could be offset by the
contract he signs with a new team.
--Field Level Media
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