Former New York Jets running back Le’Veon Bell has made headlines after making controversial allegations about his former head coach Adam Gase, claiming in a podcast interview that Gase used cocaine before practices during their time together with the franchise.
Speaking on “#Respectfully: The Justin LaBoy Show,” Bell criticized Gase‘s coaching style and play-calling, but the discussion escalated into personal claims about behavior he says he observed while both were part of the Jets organization.
“I saw him with my own two,” Bell said. “Not just once, though. It wasn’t just one time. That’s what he did, though. Everybody knew that. That’s what he did.
“But it was just crazy to me that I actually saw him doing it. I heard all the stories and (bleep). Yeah, that (bleep) Gase was on that cocahina. Adam Gase was fried out there calling plays.”
The comments quickly circulated online, though they remain unverified and reflect Bell‘s personal account rather than confirmed evidence. Neither Bell nor Gase has provided documentation supporting the claims, and the statements have not been independently verified.
Bell also referenced a sideline clip from the 2019 season showing Gase using smelling salts during games. He said the use of such substances was common on the sideline and connected it to attempts to stay alert during games.
“The nose salt was the only thing to kind of get him right on the sideline because he didn’t have his normal (bleep) to put in his nose,” Bell said.
“He had the nose salt…to get turned up on the sideline.”
Jets tenure and fallout
Adam Gase coached the Jets for two seasons starting in 2019. The team went 7-9 in his first year before dropping to a 2-14 record in 2020, leading to his firing. His tenure drew heavy criticism for offensive inconsistency and unstable quarterback play.
Bell joined the Jets in 2019 after leaving the Pittsburgh Steelers and played under Gase for both seasons before moving on from the team. The period is widely regarded as one of the most turbulent stretches in recent Jets history, with coaching changes and inconsistent quarterback performance defining the era overall narrative.
After New York, Gase spent time away from coaching before returning to the NFL in 2026 as a passing game specialist for the Los Angeles Chargers. Bell‘s recent comments have reignited debate about Gase‘s tenure with the Jets, though no independent evidence has supported the specific allegations made.
While Gase has not publicly responded to Bell‘s latest remarks, similar allegations from former players have occasionally surfaced, fueling ongoing debate about his leadership style.
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