FLORHAM PARK, NJ – Adding another veteran to their crowded fullback, the New York Jets acquired running back Kalen Ballage from the Miami Dolphins in a rare intradivisional trade, a source from the US confirmed Thursday. league.
The Dolphins, who are said to be set to release Ballage, will receive a conditional end-of-round pick, NFL Network reported.
Ballage will be reunited with coach Adam Gase, who was part of Miami’s decision to draft him in 2018. Ballage is the second ex-Dolphin to join Gase’s group of backers, joining Frank Gore, who mentored Ballage as a recruit.
Jets starter is Le’Veon Bell, who made headlines on Wednesday expressing frustration on Twitter that he didn’t get more reps in the team’s first instrasquad scrum. Before the tweet, Gase told reporters that Bell was shot due to hamstring strain, which Bell refuted.
The Jets also have rookie La’Mical Perine, a fourth-round pick.
Ballage was the Dolphins’ Week 1 starter last season, but struggled and lost his job under the new regime, which acquired Jordan Howard and Matt Breida in the recent offseason.
As a rookie, Ballage showed promise in Gase’s offense, averaging 5.3 yards per carry – 191 yards on 36 attempts, including a touchdown. He also has the ability to come back on kickoffs, which also wowed the Jets.
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