By signing Le’Veon Bell, the Chiefs proved they’re following the Patriots game plan.
The Kansas City Chiefs signed Le’Veon Bell in a move that mirrors so many of the New England Patriots.
Andy Reid and company have decided to throw their weight around in free agency, picking up value players in hopes of bolstering an already formidable attack.
If it works, the Chiefs may be well on their way to their own Patriots-like dynasty.
Le’Veon Bell made the already rich Chiefs that much richer in talent
Bell was just released by the New York Jets, who signed him in 2019 after he skipped 2018 over a contract dispute with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Needless to say, his time in the Big Apple didn’t go all that well.
The Chiefs are banking on the Jets being a bigger issue than Bell. It’s not a bad bet either. Chris Ivory was the franchise’s last 1,000-yard rusher back in 2015. That was the last time the offense ranked in the top half of the NFL.
It’s an entirely different situation in Kansas City, where Reid and Patrick Mahomes have formed a super duo on offense. Adding Bell, a former All-Pro, to that attack will give them another weapon to throw at defenses.
It’s also the exact kind of thing Bill Belichick and the Patriots used to do all the time. In the early days of the dynasty, they picked up Rodney Harrison after he had been released by the Chargers and traded for Corey Dillon when he became disposable to the Cincinnati Bengals. Later they made a deal to bring Randy Moss to New England with an eye on rehabilitating the wide receiver while giving Tom Brady a devastating playmaker.
Of course, it hasn’t always worked out for the Patriots. Experiments with Chad Johnson and Brown were less successful.
The Chiefs are flirting with potential chemistry issues, but if they manage it as the Patriots have, Bell should fit right in.