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Jets' Bell 'ready to show' his best NFL version this season

Scott Taetsch / Getty Images Sport / Getty

New York Jets running back Le'Veon Bell believes he can return to his best form in 2020 - and head coach Adam Gase wants to help him accomplish that.

"I'm ready to show this is the best Le'Veon Bell that's ever played in the NFL," Bell said Wednesday.

The 28-year-old became one of the best offensive playmakers in the NFL during his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He racked up at least 1,800 scrimmage yards three times and was voted first-team All-Pro twice between 2013 to 2017.

However, Bell wasn't able to replicate that production in his first year with the Jets last season, amassing a career-low 3.2 yards per carry and scoring just three touchdowns on the ground.

While Bell takes accountability for his 2019 struggles, Gase thinks he also deserves to be criticized.

"Last year, I feel like I did a bad job," Gase said. "At the beginning of the season, I was really trying to get him going. And at the same time, teams kind of knew what we were doing, and they were loading up the box, and (Bell) was taking some shots. ... I just have to do a good job making sure he's getting his touches but at the same time, we're putting him in the best position possible."

Gase added that Bell "worked extra hard this offseason."

Bell became one of the highest-paid running backs in the NFL after signing a four-year, $52.5-million deal with the Jets prior to the 2019 season.

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