Le’Veon Bell has some straightforward incentives built into his deal with the Chiefs.
The Kansas City Chiefs were already great without Le’Veon Bell. Now the running back adds a whole new dynamic to a team that is a favorite to repeat as Super Bowl champions.
Bell was let go by the New York Jets and signed a prorated $1 million deal in Kansas City. He made it clear he cared about winning so a smaller dollar amount wasn’t too surprising. But Bell also has some interesting incentives built in that revolve around his desire to play and help the Chiefs win another Super Bowl.
Bell can earn a nice payday in the postseason
So Bell can earn himself quite the bonus if the Chiefs repeat and he is involved in the offense. Only needing to play in one-fourth of the game on offense shouldn’t be too difficult if he proves to be valuable over the rest of the regular season.
Bell was eased into action in his Chiefs debut. He finished with six carries for 39 yards in a 43-16 rout of the Denver Broncos. This week the Chiefs are going up against the Jets, so maybe Andy Reid will give Bell a full workload to embarrass his old team.
Rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire has emerged as a great go-to option in the offense. But Bell should at least be on the field for 25 percent of the plays even if he is just a decoy. If the Chiefs go deep into the postseason and Bell is phased out, we may have to accept he is not close to the same player he once was.
For now there is no need to worry. Bell could have a huge revenge game Sunday against the Jets and prove that organization was the problem in that failed relationship and not him.