The Jets' hottest new commodity in Le'Veon Bell is still getting acclimated to his new team. He was absent from most of the team's offseason voluntary workouts as he continued his routine of working out in Miami to prepare for the new season.
But, since Bell has been at training camp for the past few weeks, his new Jets teammates are learning what the dynamic running back is like on and off the field.
In between the hashes, Bell is the exact same player that he was when we last saw him: a patient yet explosive back that knows how to read defenses and make his opponents miss. He didn't show that against the Giants in preseason Week 1 as he sat out, but there have been spurts at practice where he's shown his mastery with the ball in his hands.
Off the field, though, Bell has a different side to him. Some may know that he is also heavily involved with music, and ESPN's Rich Cimini revealed that Bell and WR Josh Bellamy -- another new face to the Jets this season -- frequently freestyle with one another in the locker room.
"We just be vibing, man, in the locker room, just trying to have a good time," Bellamy told Cimini. "But he's a cool dude. We hung out in Miami in the offseason [in a recording studio]. Yeah, man, we just coming off the top of the dome."
Bell's teammates have loved these fun exchanges in between practice sessions as well.
"I'm not a rapper, but I do appreciate his artistic view of life, just his perspective," said Kelvin Beachum.
Others are hoping to be involved in Bell's music a little more than just commenting on his freestyles.
"Maybe he'll put me in his next [music] video," Avery Williamson said.
When it comes time to work off the field in the film room, Bell knows how to turn that fun, laid back switch off and get down to business. Valentine Holmes, the former rugby star turned football player, is deeper on the depth chart compared to Bell. And even though he's a longshot to make the 53-man roster, Bell is always game to help out whenever it's needed.
"He sits a few meters away from me in the classroom, but if I'm asking the coach a question, he'll kind of answer it as well. He'll give his response and what he thinks the answer is, almost like he's helping me individually."
Those good vibes from Bell, whether it's fun or serious, has certainly rubbed the Jets the right way. Beachum even notes that he already has individual handshakes with his offensive teammates that he'll deliver in huddles during practice.
Everyone from the front office to his coaches and teammates have said Bell is making a good first impression with his new club. And that's something you love to see from a new player, especially one making a highly-anticipated return this season.
"One thing I can say since he's been here: He's really tried to be intentional with his teammates, intentionally trying to do things -- in the building and off the field -- to build a rapport," Beachum said. "He's all in."