Le’Veon Bell Criticizes Adam Gase
Former NFL running back Le’Veon Bell has openly criticized ex-New York Jets head coach Adam Gase. Gase, who now serves as the passing game coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers, had a disappointing tenure with the Jets, finishing with a 9-23 record before his dismissal after the 2020 season. Both Bell and Gase joined the Jets in 2019, where they managed a 7-9 record but struggled significantly in the following year.
On the podcast Respectively with Justin Lavoie, Bell went so far as to label Gase “the stupidest coach of all time.” But his comments didn’t stop there. He accused Gase of using cocaine in the office, implying a level of misconduct that raised eyebrows.
During the conversation, Lavoie encouraged Bell to move past the issues, yet Bell felt compelled to express his views on Gase’s behavior. He described Gase as being involved with “white girl,” slang for cocaine, and mimicked a snorting gesture to emphasize his point. “I feel like, bro, it’s not just about going to the office and meeting the coach,” Bell mentioned, frustrated. “I’m about to go to practice. What’s happening here?”
Bell claimed he witnessed Gase engaging in this behavior firsthand. “It wasn’t just one time. Everybody knows that,” he stated. His remarks suggested that this was a common rumor circulating around the team, even if he didn’t dive too deeply into those claims.
Following Gase’s firing from the Jets, he has stayed out of an official coaching role in the NFL, instead providing occasional consulting work. His father-in-law, Joe Vitt, contributes as a defensive assistant for the Denver Broncos, and has been in contact with Gase in recent offseasons. Gase even took on a role as a strategic advisor for the No. 33 team in 2024 along with notable figures like Bill Belichick.
Prior to joining the Jets, Gase had a stint with the Miami Dolphins from 2016 to 2018, achieving a 23-25 record during his time there, with his best season being 10-6 in 2016. His coaching career kicked off in 2003 with the Detroit Lions as a scouting assistant, eventually rising through the ranks to become a quarterbacks coach and an offensive coordinator with the Broncos.
On the other hand, Bell’s trajectory changed post a contract dispute with the Pittsburgh Steelers that saw him miss the entire 2018 season. After joining the Jets, Bell was released just two games into the 2020 campaign. He had a brief comeback, with a lackluster performance in his first season back in 2019, rushing for 789 yards and three touchdowns and adding 66 receptions for 461 yards.
Throughout his career, Bell has been recognized as a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro during his time with the Steelers, who selected him 48th overall in the 2013 NFL Draft. Over five seasons in Pittsburgh, he amassed 5,336 rushing yards and 42 touchdowns.
