Chiefs said to be interested in trade for Jets RB Le’Veon Bell

This all started with a report on Tuesday morning from New York Daily News reporter Manish Mehta. Mehta was reporting that the New York Jets were interested in making a trade for former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell.

The story Mehta was tweeting about connected the Kansas City Chiefs to a trade for Bell.

The Daily News has learned that Gang Green is amenable to dealing the perennial Pro Bowl running back for the right price before the 4 p.m. trade deadline. Although it’s unclear what that price tag has been during discussions, there are legitimate buyers. The Jets would unload a big salary as general manager Joe Douglas looks to reshape the roster.

Keep an eye on the Texans, Chiefs and Bills, who could use a dynamic running back. The Eagles likely would love to add Bell, but it appears that it would be cost prohibitive to add him.

But let’s be clear here: Mehta was not reporting the Chiefs were actually expressing interest in Bell. Instead he was expressing his opinion that the Chiefs “could use a dynamic running back.”

But it didn’t take long for someone else to make that report. Enter Connor Hughes, who covers the Jets for The Athletic. Hughes said that the Chiefs and Texans were “most interested” in Bell.

Is there any fire underneath this smoke? It seems unlikely. After all... “most interested” could be translated into “two teams have called about Bell.”

The contract Bell signed with the Jets makes him inexpensive for the rest of the 2019 season — but not after that.

Would the Chiefs give up draft capital sign for a running back who will cost them north of $13 million in 2020 and $11.5 million in 2021? With all the other salary cap problems the team will need to solve in 2020 — including (but not limited to) the long-term contract they want to sign with quarterback Patrick Mahomes — it just doesn’t seem likely.

And as friend-of-the-site Terez Paylor of Yahoo! Sports noted, that’s not the only reason to doubt the Chiefs might make a deal for Bell.

Still... it’s trade deadline day in the NFL. We can always be surprised.