Bell says Jets need healthy Darnold, so tells QB: ‘No bars’

NEW YORK » Le’Veon Bell likes everything he has seen for Sam Darnold since training camp started.

The New York Jets running back insists the thirdyear quarterback has taken a significant step in becoming a better and more assertive leader. Bell has also noticed Darnold’s command of the offense, with the hesitations and slight pauses of last season long gone.

“Sam looks amazing this year,” Bell said Monday during a video call. “It’s going to be fun.”

But, then, the running back smiled and delivered the line of the day.

“We’ve just got to make sure he stays healthy, man,” Bell said before breaking into a laugh. “I told him: no bars.”

In this time of social distancing and wearing masks because of the coronavirus pandemic, that’s certainly sage advice for pretty much anyone, let alone NFL players. But, particularly Darnold, who missed three games last season while dealing with mononucleosis.

The 23-year-old quarterback talked recently about how he’s fully prepared to be “boring” this season, with his only planned activities being driving to and from the team facility and nothing more. No trips to Manhattan or hanging with buddies on days off.

Jokes aside, Darnold’s work ethic and dedication to getting better have never been questioned. The thing is, much of the Jets’ success this season is riding on Darnold — and Bell and the rest of his teammates know it.

That’s why they need him to be able to play every game and show the progress the franchise expects to see. Bell, for one, has already witnessed it through the first few weeks of camp.

“Yeah, he looks a lot different,” Bell said. “He’s a lot more comfortable.”

It shows in the regular banter between Darnold and coach Adam Gase, who’ll call a play and the quarterback will point out an error or an adjustment he thinks should be made.