Every NFL team faces challenging decisions throughout the offseason as the roster changes and evolves for the next league year. Needs are addressed and movement begins as the free agency period kicks off in March. For former Oklahoma Sooner and current Dallas Cowboys‘ tight end Blake Bell, he will likely be calling another team ‘home’ in 2021.
No. 80 was predominately used as an in-line blocker in 2020 for Dallas, assisting the squad’s makeshift offensive line in run/pass blocking. For a blocking tight end like Bell, stats do not affirm his production on the gridiron like others. He is often the one paving the way for a teammate to make the glorified catch or rush that winds up on highlight tapes.
This past year he totaled 11 receptions for 110 yards. Prior to playing for the Dallas Cowboys, Bell spent time with the San Francisco 49ers (2015-2016), Minnesota Vikings (2017), Jacksonville Jaguars (2018), and the Kansas City Chiefs who were Super Bowl Champs that year (2019). Throughout the course of his six-year Pro career, Bell has amassed 49 receptions for 534 yards and an average of 10.9 yards-per-catch.
Prior to the 2020 season, Dallas signed Bell to a one-year $1.7 million contract. Following Blake Jarwin’s season-ending ACL injury, Bell became the team’s No. 2 tight end behind Dalton Schultz. With Jarwin’s return in 2021 and Schultz’s emergence during the year as one of the team’s most consistent pass-catchers, Bell is a question mark.
What are some potential landing spots for Blake Bell in 2021 if not re-signed?