Le’Veon Bell credits Chris Jones for helping bring him to Chiefs

Le’Veon Bell says Chris Jones was helpful in getting him to sign with the Chiefs.

Le’Veon Bell had several understandable reasons to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs over the other teams in the running for his services, but on Wednesday he also told reporters that it helped to have Chris Jones “in his ear” throughout his decision-making process.

Bell is the most recent signing for the Chiefs, a surprising addition that gives the league’s most potent offense yet another dynamic weapon. As a two-time All-Pro, Bell is now looking for a chance to showcase what he can do again after a couple frustrating seasons in Adam Gase’s offense with the listless New York Jets.

The Jets set Bell free after just over one full season with the team. The marriage was a bad one from the start, and Bell’s financial hit was going to be too much for the team to take. Fortunately for the Chiefs, Bell’s injury guarantee also kept other teams from trading for or claiming him in his final days with the Jets, which allowed him to ultimately be released which made him a free agent.

The Chiefs were one of several teams vying for his services, but the amount of smoke coming from NFL rumors made them the odds-on favorite from the beginning of the courtship. The Chicago Bears, New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins were all reportedly considered, but Bell ended up signing with the Chiefs due to Andy Reid‘s presence as a head coach and the chance to help the team defend their Super Bowl title—an achievement that has eluded Bell so far in his career.

Bell joined the team last week but was forced to wait through COVID-19 protocols until he could surface. He was introduced by the team on Wednesday and will make his debut on Sunday against the Denver Broncos. He will soon thereafter have a chance to take on his former employers, the Jets, in Week 8.