Sam Darnold on New Jets RB Le'Veon Bell: 'What's Not to Love About It?'

New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold said Wednesday he's "really excited" to play alongside new Jets running back Le'Veon Bell.

Darnold told Greg Joyce of the New York Post he's been watching tape of Bell's time with the Pittsburgh Steelers and has come away impressed with how much he helped Ben Roethlisberger:

"I love it. What's not to love about it? Le'Veon's a great player. He's very instinctual, too. He's very quarterback friendly, which I've kind of noticed watching his tape a little bit. Whenever Big Ben was back there, as a quarterback you sense when time runs out, you start looking for guys and Le'Veon's always really friendly and he's always kind of right there in your vision, or he was always in Ben's vision.

"So I'm looking forward to that, just whenever I need him, just him to be that security blanket I need to check it down, and he can get yards after the catch. So I'm really excited about it."

Bell sat out the 2018 season with the Steelers after refusing to sign the one-year contract tender associated with the franchise tag.

The 27-year-old Michigan State product signed a four-year, $52.5 million deal with the Jets in free agency last month.

He said getting the chance to join an offense led by Darnold, the third overall pick in the 2018 draft, was a key factor in choosing New York.

"Absolutely," Bell told reporters. "That's a part of it. Seeing a guy like him, so young and so talented and knowing, maybe he needs another weapon—you never know what he can do with another weapon. He's such a talented young guy. So he definitely was a valuable reason that I chose to come here."

Bell was one of the league's most valuable offensive weapons during his time in Pittsburgh.

He recorded 7,996 yards from scrimmage and 42 touchdowns across 62 appearances for the Steelers. He earned three Pro Bowl selections and was named First Team All-Pro twice.

Bell may take a while to reach top form after sitting out an entire year, but his arrival greatly improves the Jets' offensive upside in 2019.