Vonn Bell Is Back Where He Belongs
Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
One of the biggest mistakes of the Bengals’ offseason last year was letting both Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates III walk in free agency. However, on March 14th, the Bengals got one of those pieces back on a one year deal.
Bengals are bringing veteran safety Vonn Bell back to Cincinnati, per his agent @davidcanter.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2024
The contract is worth $6 million; however, the Bengals will be paying the veteran minimum portion of that contract, while Carolina will be paying the rest of his salary.
Bell was a critical part of the Bengals’ secondary from 2020-2022 and helped provide some of the most iconic moments of those seasons. Those moments include an interception of Patrick Mahomes in the 2022 AFC Championship game in overtime to help give the Bengals the AFC crown that year. Another one of those moments was a vicious hit and forced fumble on JuJu Smith-Schuster on a Monday Night game against Pittsburgh in 2020, which the internet had an absolute field day with.
The @Bengals' description of JuJu … pic.twitter.com/JqJNdwcP9M
— ESPN (@espn) December 22, 2020
Bell was signed to a three year contract by Carolina just one year ago, but was released after playing through just one year of that contract. He felt uneasy after being released, but signing with the Bengals put all those feelings to rest.
“Amazing. at peace,” Bell said. “Glad to be back. I feel warm. Glad to see a lot of familiar faces with the coaches. A lot of guys hit me up and it’s just great to be back for sure. I think of the connections with people here and now, especially with the coaching staff and the guys in the locker room and that locker room is very special.”
The Bengals looked aggressively to remedy letting both Bates and Bell walk. In doing so, they drafted Jordan Battle in the third round in 2023, returned 2022 first round pick Daxton Hill to his college position of safety, and by signing free agent Nick Scott from the Rams. Hill was inconsistent and Scott was a massive disappointment, to the point that Jordan Battle took away Scott’s starting job and never looked back.
Jordan Battle received a 90.0 PFF grade in week 18 after collecting 3 tackles, a sack, an INT and allowing 1 catch on 4 targets.
The Bengals rookie ended up being the highest graded defender for Cincinnati (82.5) after playing 524 snaps this year.
Of ALL rookie defenders this… pic.twitter.com/HmNeIfpT96
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) January 8, 2024
Bell’s return will provide both depth and veteran leadership as Battle looks to build off of his impressive rookie campaign and new signee Geno Stone looks to continue his positive momentum after leading the NFL in interceptions among safeties, with seven.
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