Are the San Francisco 49ers in search of yet another running back in free agency? The team signed Jerick McKinnon last offseason to be its featured back in 2018. Unfortunately, McKinnon suffered a torn ACL before the start of the regular season.
Now, there is a rumor — and we stress rumor — from Chris Mortensen of ESPN that the 49ers might be interested in former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell. The New York Jets, however, are still viewed as the clear favorites to land him. Evan Silva of Rotoworld reported the chatter from Mortensen.
ESPN's Chris Mortensen mentioned on NFL Live that he's heard #49ers are potentially in the market for free agent Le'Veon Bell. #Jets still viewed as clear favorites.
— Evan Silva (@evansilva) March 11, 2019
There was a report in September that both the 49ers and Jets made an "exploratory call" to the Steelers regarding Bell. Nothing came of that report.
"The Jets and 49ers have also made exploratory calls, though nothing has advanced beyond a preliminary stage and San Francisco's interest is likely mitigated by the season-ending injury to quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo," wrote Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports in September.
I've heard from multiple NFL sources who tell me they believe the Jets are still the favorites to land Le'Veon Bell. The Bears, 49ers, Eagles and Raiders are other teams I've heard mentioned in connection with the Bell sweepstakes.
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) March 11, 2019
Bell, who played college football at Michigan State, was a second-round draft pick by the Steelers in 2013. During his five NFL seasons (2013-17), he has been selected to the Pro Bowl three times (2014, 2016, 2017) and named first-team All-Pro twice (2014, 2017).
Bell held out during the entire 2018 season and will become a free agent on Wednesday. He has posted 1,200-or-more yards in three of his last four seasons played. In 2014, he rushed for 1,361 yards on 290 carries and eight touchdowns. In 2016, Bell rushed for 1,268 yards on 261 carries and seven touchdowns. 2017 saw him rush for 1,291 yards on 321 carries and nine touchdowns.
A suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy and a season-ending MCL tear shortened Bell's 2015 season to just six games.
