Jets Rumors: Is Bilal Powell In For Big Workload

New York Jets Rumors: Despite adding Matt Forte to the backfield, it looks like Bilal Powell will have a big part in the Jets backfield this upcoming season.

New York Jets rumors are slow at this time of the year, as the NFL is in a lull. With OTA’s over, there isn’t much going on in the football world until training camps begin later this month. Until then, we will see beat reporters and people who follow teams hyping up certain players heading into training camp.

The player that is getting put into the offseason hype machine for the Jets this time around is running back Bilal Powell. Powell entered the offseason as a free agent, but re-signed with the Jets on a three-year, $11.25 million contract. He will receive $6 million guaranteed, including a $2.65 million signing bonus.

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With a contract like that, it is evident that the Jets like Powell, and he will have a role in the offense this season. Despite adding Matt Forte in the offseason to help offset the loss of Chris Ivory, Powell should have a role with the offense.

But, Forte and Powell have similar skill sets, as both excel as pass catchers out of the backfield. Because of that, it is fair to question if Powell will repeat the production he had last season, when he had 70 rushes for 313 yards and 47 receptions for 388 yards in 11 games. That comes out to an average of 10.6 touches per game, a number that could be tough to reach with Forte in town cutting into his touches and Khiry Robinson fighting for early down work.

But, that doesn’t stop the New York Post’s Brian Costello from having a ton of confidence in Powell this upcoming season. Despite the competition from Forte and Robinson, Costello believes that Powell will see major touches in 2016. Here is what he has to say about Powell’s outlook for the upcoming season.

"The Jets revamped their running back corps this offseason, but Powell remains in the middle of it. It will be interesting to see how Gailey divides up the carries between Powell and Matt Forte, who arrives with a great reputation and resume. Powell complemented former Jets running back Chris Ivory, who was more of a bruising back than he is, but Powell and Forte have similar skill sets, so this could be a trickier division of labor for Gailey.You can count on Powell getting major touches this season, though. Gailey will figure out a way."

It will be interesting to see how Gailey divides the touches this season, as Forte will see playing time in the passing game, where Powell was used last season. Robinson may not have as big a role as Ivory did on early downs, so Gailey could get Powell more touches earlier in drives now with another capable pass catcher on the roster.

Costello also talked about how much the Jets like Powell, as he has survived through three different general managers and four offensive coordinators. Despite the constant turnover, Powell has found a niche with every scheme that he has been a part of.

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That makes him a valuable part of the team, and someone Costello believes will be a big part of the offense. Despite Forte being added, it is hard to imagine Powell having his role scaled back. He has a versatile skill set and is someone the Jets obviously like. They wouldn’t have brought him back if they didn’t have a plan for him, so Powell should continue seeing double-digit touches a game this upcoming season.

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