The Jets kick off their NFL season with a Week 1 AFC East matchup against the Bills up in Buffalo, officially clearing the slate for New York after a very up and down 2019 campaign.
Among those who is excited for the fresh season is Le'Veon Bell, who can now really settle in on being a Jet and get back to the All-Pro running back he was with the Steelers — at least that's what he's hoping for.
Bell spoke to reporters ahead of the season's official kickoff Thursday night about his outlook on what he and the overall team can do in 2020.
Here are a few takeaways from Bell:
On the season finally being here
After all the what ifs on whether or not the NFL season would be able to being during the global pandemic, we've made it to Week 1, and Bell is excited to get things started.
"Been a hectic year, a hectic offseason with Covid and things like that so it's been different," Bell said. "I'm really just excited to get out there and play some football. I've been working hard all offseason, so it's going to be fun to put it to the test."
"Knowing it's a game week, you can feel it in practice. That first Wednesday practice feels different than in training camp. Guys understand what's at stake. The season's about to start... it's kind of hard to put the feelings into words."
On playing without fans
A large majority of teams will play their Week 1 games without any fans in attendance, and although that is subject to change over the course of the season, there's a chance that some stadiums see no fans inside through all of 2020.
"It feels like practice," Bell said on playing without fans. "I'm sure it's going to feel a lot different in a game facing another team with no fans in a whole other stadium. ...We've got to adjust with it and just be ready."
On where he and the team are in his second season in NY
Bell ran for his second-lowest (only played six games in 2015) rushing yard and rushing TD totals last season after taking a year off from football. The Jets started the season 1-7 and despite a late push to dig themselves out, they still finished with a losing record.
With both Bell and Adam Gase entering their second seasons with the team, there's no excuses this year.
"I understand the offense so much better, it's not even close. It's like night and day for me," Bell said.
"Me looking at the team, guys are a lot more comfortable, guys know their assignments, especially guys like Sam (Darnold). He know's exactly where to go and what to do and what situation to put us in."
On Mekhi Becton's progress
At 6-foot-7, 363 lbs, Becton is one of the biggest players in the league. The Jets first-round pick could very well be the steal of the draft down the line if he plays to his potential.
"I've never seen somebody like that in person, so when I first seen him I was excited," Bell said on Becton's size.
"Just to see him work every day, he's a guy that understands football. He's not just a big guy who's going to try and lean on you or try to use their weight. He's a guy that's got good feet, he's got good hands, good hand-eye coordination. He's a smart player, if he makes a mistake, he's upset about it. He's a competitor and that's what you want. ...He could be a real, real, real special player."