Everyone has a differing opinion when it comes to ranking quarterbacks. As we’ve seen across the NFL, teams also have a unique way of valuing the modern NFL running back. Now, one of the league’s retired players is chiming in on the current market while taking a low blow at Daniel Jones, QB of the New York Giants.
Specifically, it’s Le’Veon Bell providing commentary, who knows the New York media well from his time with the New York Jets. Seeing what Pro Bowl running back Saquon Barkley signed for in free agency, receiving a one-year contract worth ‘up to’ $11 million, has seemingly set Bell off.
More so, seeing Daniel Jones receive a four-year, $160 million contract that makes him one of the ten highest-paid QBs in the NFL today seems to be the issue that really ticks Bell off. Meanwhile, Barkley is tied for sixth among running backs in 2023 earnings, but obviously, the $30 million dollar difference in annual salary shows there’s a much larger gap.
Here are Bell’s comments about Jones and Barkley when speaking to Rob Maadi.
“He’s not mediocre. There are average quarterbacks, he’s in the bottom tier. I’m not here trying to talk bad about Daniel Jones. I’m just trying to be real for everybody who’s hearing it. He’s in the bottom tier. Saquon is in the top tier of his position at running back.”
Retired NFL running back Le’Veon Bell on Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley
There’s clearly a large discrepancy when it comes to paying quarterbacks and running backs in the NFL right now. With teams prioritizing the most important position on the field, don’t expect that to change any time soon. Still, many players, especially ballcarriers, would like to see that gap narrow sooner than later. Count Bell among that group.