Bengals Sign Vonn Bell
Vonn Bell, a free agent, was signed by the Bengals today to a one-year contract that will expire in 2024.
In 2016, the New Orleans Saints selected Bell (5-11, 205), a ninth-year player from Ohio State University, in the second round of the draft. Before joining the Carolina Panthers in 2023, he played for the Saints for four seasons (2016–19) and the Bengals for three seasons (’20–22). He has 691 tackles, 9.5 sacks, seven interceptions, 37 PDs, 15 FFs, and 11 FRs in 122 regular-season games (106 starts).
Bell spent his first three seasons with Cincinnati as a team captain. He participated in 48 regular-season games for the Bengals, starting them all. He finished with 288 tackles, 1.5 sacks, five interceptions, 21 PDs, and eight FFs and four FRs. In addition, after the 2021 and 2022 seasons, he started all seven of the team’s postseason games.
Cincinnati — League sources tell All Bengals that Vonn Bell, a safety, will be rejoining the Bengals. The veteran will be signed by Cincinnati to a one-year contract.
Bell, a safety, was formally cut by the Panthers on Wednesday. Cincinnati was willing to get back together in the hopes of bolstering a youthful secondary with seasoned leadership.
Bell played for Cincinnati for three seasons (2020–22), where he was a key player in the team’s trips to the AFC Championship Games and Super Bowl LVI. He can potentially assist Dax Hill, Jordan Battle Tycen Anderson, and recently signed safety Geno Stone because he is familiar with the system and has the confidence of defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.
Bell signed a three-year deal with the Panthers during the previous offseason, but after just one season in Carolina, he is now a free agent.
The 29-year-old recorded 69 stops and 13 games with one interception the previous season. During his three years with the Bengals, he started 48 regular season games (16 per season), totaling 288 tackles and five interceptions.
Although the agreement hasn’t been sealed, all indications suggest that Bell will sign it and rejoin Sam Hubbard, Trey Hendrickson, and the Bengals defense, which is looking to bounce back after a dismal 2023 campaign.
