Bilal Powell wants Jets to know he’s ‘fully healthy and ready for a call’

With the Jets extra thin at running back, Bilal Powell wants New York to know he is ready to give it another go donning the green and white.

Powell posted 229 rushing yards and seven receptions for 33 yards playing in a complementary role behind Le’Veon Bell in 2019. The Jets elected not to bring the veteran back this offseason and went in a different direction, drafting La’Mical Perine and signing Frank Gore. Despite those moves, New York’s running back depth chart is in peril following an injury to Perine and a failed trade for Kalen Ballage that was nixed by an injury-induced failed physical.

With their running back room now down to Bell, Gore and Josh Adams, could the Jets be back in the market for a tailback? According to SNY’s Jonas Schwartz, Powell told him he is “fully healthy and ready for a call” to return to the only organization he has ever known.

The Jets drafted Powell out of Louisville in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. In nine seasons with New York, he has recorded 3,675 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns to go along with 211 receptions for 1,600 yards and five touchdowns. Powell’s best season came in 2015, rushing for 772 yards and five scores.

If Joe Douglas wants to address New York’s running back depth before the beginning of the regular season, Powell should be one of his first phone calls. Not only is Powell a veteran leader who already has the respect of the locker room at One Jets Drive, but he is also well-versed in Adam Gase’s offense and would not have to endure any sort of adjustment schematically.

Powell is not a gamechanger at this point in his career, but he is an unselfish player who has done nothing but produce for the Jets in whatever role asked of him. That should be enough to warrant consideration for a return to the Big Apple.