Jets QB Sam Darnold praises versatility of RB Le’Veon Bell

The New York Jets have a new offensive weapon in running back Le’Veon Bell, and quarterback Sam Darnold can’t wait to see the problems he causes for opposing defenses.

Heading into the 2019 season, it’s hard to blame Jets fans for being more than a little excited about their team’s potential.

Despite a tumultuous offseason that included changes at head coach and general manager, the Jets also made some big additions to the roster on both sides of the ball. The big-ticket item of the bunch is star running back Le’Veon Bell, who joins the Jets after sitting out the entire 2018 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers due to a contract dispute.

Bell brings a versatile skill set to the Gang Green, something second-year quarterback Sam Darnold can’t wait to see in action (via team senior reporter Eric Allen):

The defensive coordinator doesn’t know where he’s going to lineup, doesn’t know what’s coming his way. So, with Le’Veon out there, we’ve become a little bit more unpredictable just because he’s such a great route runner. He’s not just running the smoke or he’s not just running a five-yard route, he could go deep on you. He could run a slant and win and score. So, there’s a lot of different things that he can do. Again, we’re just really excited to have him out there and it definitely does make it a lot harder on a defensive coordinator.

One of the most dynamic running backs in the entire NFL, Bell gives the Jets a unique weapon on an offense already loaded with promising talent. Darnold is barely scratching the surface of his lofty potential, while the Jets boast one of the more underrated pass-catching groups.

If Bell is able to put up the kind of numbers he did in during his prolific run in Pittsburgh, the Jets could be in for one of the best offensive seasons in recent memory. Whether or not that translates to an improvement in the win column will depend on the effectiveness of an also-improved defense, but Jets fans have to be encouraged by what they’re seeing on paper right now.

What are your expectations for the Bell and the Jets offense this year? Give us your take in the comment section!