Bell wants Darnold to stay healthy in 2020: 'No bars'
New York Jets running back Le'Veon Bell has seen significant improvement from Sam Darnold this offseason and has some friendly advice for how the quarterback can maximize his production this season.
"We just have to make sure he stays healthy," Bell said Monday, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN. "I told him, 'No bars.'"
Darnold was sidelined for three contests last season with mononucleosis. The Jets were 7-6 when the signal-caller was active in 2019 but were unable to win a game without him to log their fourth straight losing campaign.
Though the 23-year-old has yet to truly break out in the NFL, he slightly improved in his second year after a rough rookie season. Bell thinks Darnold continued to get better throughout the offseason.
"He's taking great command of the huddle," Bell said, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. "I think that's the biggest difference from Year 2 to 3. ... Guys are in there talking and (he says), 'Hey, hey, hey.' And guys listen."
Bell added that Darnold looks "amazing" and "a lot more comfortable" this year.
The 2018 third overall pick completed 61.9% of his pass attempts for 3,024 yards and 19 touchdowns against 13 interceptions in 13 games last season.