Saquon: Bell sitting out last season 'not good for the league'

Saquon Barkley is no longer the only star running back in New York after the Jets landed Le'Veon Bell in free agency.

The 2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year has no problem sharing The Big Apple, however, if it means the ex-Pittsburgh Steelers standout is suiting up in the NFL.

"We definitely both respect each other's games," Barkley said, according to Ryan Dunleavy of NJ.com. "Obviously, he sat out last year and that's just not good for the league in general because he is such a tremendous player and you look forward to seeing a guy like that on Sundays."

After being franchise tagged in back-to-back years, Bell opted to sit out the entire 2018 season.

The contract dispute eventually ended when the Steelers allowed Bell to hit the open market, where the Jets won his signature by handing over the most guaranteed money ever to a running back.

In Bell's absence, Barkley arguably took up the mantle as the league's most versatile back, producing over 2,000 yards from scrimmage in just his first season. Bell achieved the same feat in 2014, his sophomore year, rushing for 1,361 yards while catching 83 passes for 854 yards.

The battle for New York supremacy in 2019 will likely be determined in large part by which game-breaking back can find the most success.

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