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— Vonn Bell (@Vonn) March 26, 2020
The Cincinnati Bengals agreed to terms with New Orleans Saints free agent Vonn Bell on a three-year contract offer, and it didn’t take the safety long to express gratitude to the team that brought him into the NFL. Bell addressed the Saints, his teammates, and their fans in a post from his official Twitter account, thanking them for the opportunity to join, in his words, “A brotherhood that will last FOREVER.”
It’s a bummer to lose Bell, who was an ascendant talent in the Saints secondary that’s really come into his own over the last year or two. Bell was one of the team’s leading tacklers in 2019 and led the entire NFL’s defenders in fumble recoveries, while also bagging the first interception of his career. On some level, the loss of his influence is going to be felt, whether on the field or in the locker room.
Of course, Bell should still go on to thrive in Cincinnati. He’s landing in a good spot, with a team preparing to add a shoo-in top quarterback prospect in Joe Burrow. He’ll also be playing alongside free safety Jessie Bates, whose skills set compliments Bell’s (Bates has intercepted three passes and recorded 100-plus tackles in each of his first two seasons).
And as for the Saints: fans should expect Malcolm Jenkins and C.J. Gardner-Johnson to compete for Bell’s spot at strong safety while also trying out in slot defense. There’s room on the field for both players to start, and now it’s up to the Saints coaching staff to determine where their skills are best applied.
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