When Bilal Powell’s 2018 season ended prematurely due to a neck injury, most assumed his Jets career was over. Those people were wrong.
Powell re-signed with Gang Green on Friday, the team announced. The running back had worked out with the team earlier in the day. Clearly, he impressed.
Powell, who was cleared for football activities in May, has played his entire eight-year career with the Jets. A true dual-threat back, he’s accumulated 3,446 yards and 15 touchdowns rushing and 1,567 yards and five touchdowns receiving.
Powell’s return adds some competition to a revamped Jets backfield. With Le’Veon Bell, New York’s prized free agent acquisition, and Ty Montgomery joining a mix that also includes Elijah McGuire, Trenton Cannon, De’Angelo Henderson and Valentine Holmes, the Jets have a lot of options on their depth chart.
If Powell can return to form post-injury, he, Bell and Montgomery could give the Jets an experienced and versatile backfield that would pair nicely with Adam Gase’s new offense. However, McGuire and Cannon are younger and will give Powell a run for his money as he looks to make it nine seasons with the Jets.
