Le’Veon Bell Doesn’t Understand How ‘Bottom-Tier’ Daniel Jones Got Paid More Than ‘Top-Tier’ Saquon Barkley

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Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell voiced his bewilderment at the significant pay disparity between New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones and his teammate, running back Saquon Barkley.

In a recent interview on the AP Pro Football Podcast with Rob Maaddi, Bell candidly referred to Jones as a “Bottom-tier” NFL quarterback, expressing his surprise that Jones received a long-term contract this offseason while Barkley did not.

“Daniel Jones, he’s in the bottom tier. He’s in the bottom tier of NFL quarterbacks,” Bell stated. “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 tiers.’

Bell continued: “Saquon [Barkley] is in the top tier of his position, running back. So how does that make sense?”

Bell also raised concerns about the impact of such contract discrepancies on team dynamics. He explained that contract inequities can lead to chemistry issues within the locker room, despite Barkley’s loyalty and commitment to the Giants.

“It subconsciously affects it,” Bell said. He emphasized that when a team values some players more than others, it can make it challenging for individuals to maintain the same level of enthusiasm for the organization.

While Daniel Jones had a solid season, leading the Giants to the NFC Divisional Round with above-average passing and impressive rushing stats, Barkley was a crucial driving force behind New York’s run-based offense, contributing significantly to the team’s success.

Although Bell was the first running back to take a stand by sitting out the 2018 season, he acknowledged that such actions are not always a viable option, especially given the current state of the running back market.

The disparity in pay between quarterbacks and running backs is a complex issue that will likely be a topic of discussion during the next CBA negotiations.

Finding a fair and satisfactory solution may prove challenging, but it’s an issue that will continue to linger over the NFL in the coming years.