Vonn Bell is returning to the Cincinnati Bengals after signing a one-year contract, according to his agent, David Canter.
League sources confirm that Bell’s deal is a one-year pact worth $6 million fully guaranteed.
Bell, 29, spent three seasons in Cincinnati as a focal point of the Bengals‘ secondary from 2020 through the 2022 season before departing for the Carolina Panthers for the 2023 campaign. Last season, Bell posted 69 total tackles with one interception and two pass breakups in 13 games.
Now, Bell is back where he had some of the most successful seasons of his career.
A Cincinnati Bengals Return for Vonn Bell
During his initial stint, Vonn Bell became one of the most respected leaders in the Cincinnati Bengals’ locker room and was a pivotal piece to the franchise’s run to the Super Bowl following the 2021 regular season.
Bell posted 288 total tackles with five interceptions and 1.5 sacks during his time in Cincinnati.
The Cincinnati Bengals clearly value Bell in coverage, where he garnered a 63.8 grade from Pro Football Focus, while holding opposing quarterbacks to a meager 73.9 passer rating when targeting him as receivers averaged just 8.9 yards per reception when asked to go up against the veteran safety.
As much of a stalwart as Vonn Bell is in coverage, he also isn’t afraid to throw his weight around up near the line of scrimmage.
Originally chosen by the New Orleans Saints in the second-round of the 2016 NFL Draft, out of Ohio State, Vonn Bell enters his ninth NFL season having produced 704 career tackles with 9.5 sacks, with 15 forced fumbles, 11 fumble recoveries, seven interceptions, and 37 pass breakups.
Bengals Unveiling New Look Secondary
It is clear that the Cincinnati Bengals viewed the safety group as a liability last season and are now investing significant resources into the position.
In addition to bringing Vonn Bell back, the Cincinnati Bengals also acted quickly to sign veteran Geno Stone, in one of the biggest acquisitions thus far in free agency.
Bell and Stone create a formidable duo on the backend of a Bengals defense that is looking to make the climb back into the elite tier in the AFC and make steps towards appearing in a Super Bowl with quarterback Joe Burrow set to return fully healthy in 2024.
Stone’s deal is a two-year contract worth $15 million that includes $6 million fully guaranteed, underscoring how vital the Cincinnati Bengals view the safety position to the defense’s trajectory this upcoming season and beyond.
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