Christian McCaffrey has quickly developed into one of the NFL's most versatile running backs with the Panthers. With his size, speed, and ability to catch the ball, he is everything teams are looking for in today's backfield.
The Jets have arguably a bigger threat in Le'Veon Bell as their running back entering the new season, a player McCaffrey can thank for helping him back in his college days when he was envisioning himself in the league.
McCaffrey spoke on NBC Sports' Peter King's podcast, and explained how Bell reached out to him while he was at Stanford trying his best to get NFL teams on his radar. He said Bell, who was with the Steelers at the time, was more than willing to offer advice whenever he could.
"When I'm a sophomore in college -- freshman, sophomore -- and someone like that reaches out to you, it definitely means a lot," McCaffrey said of Bell.
Like McCaffrey, Bell has shown for years that he is lethal through the air and on the ground. And his signature patience behind his offensive line is definitely an aspect of his game that McCaffrey has tried to use in his arsenal on game day as well.
"I think that's one of those guys who does such a good job setting up his blocks and letting them develop before the play happens," McCaffrey said of Bell. "Lot you can take from him."
From a character standpoint, this shows Jets fans another reason why Bell can be a good teammate. Even though McCaffrey wasn't in the NFL just yet, he didn't mind reaching out and giving his thoughts to an eager, young back. Those kind of exchanges are what players like Ty Montgomery and even converted Australian rugby star Valentine Holmes have preached about Bell early on in camp: he's helping out whoever he can, wherever he can.