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Former New Orleans Saints safety Vonn Bell has agreed to a three-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals, after failing to come to an agreement on a second contract with the Saints.
Former #Saints S Vonn Bell has a new home, agreeing on a 3-year deal with the #Bengals, per @MikeGarafolo and me. Another big-time free agent acquisition for Cincy.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 25, 2020
It was evident Bell was likely not returning to The Big Easy after the Saints’ signing of safety Malcolm Jenkins, but his search for a new team took a bit longer than expected.
He now joins a new-look Bengals defense.
The #Bengals have spent serious money in FA — DT DJ Reader, CB Trae Waynes, Xavier Su’a-Filo, CB Mackensie Alexander, LB Josh Bynes. Now add Vonn Bell to the big-money haul. https://t.co/ZuZPQrVE21
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 25, 2020
Bell’s run-defense will be missed, as he looks to fill the strong safety role next to Jessie Bates III up North.
UPDATE:
Initial terms of the deal have been announced.
New | Bengals agree to terms with former Saints safety Vonn Bell for a 3-year deal. Terms via @AdamSchefter: https://t.co/E7Qu0xN3GL
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) March 25, 2020
To save the time from reading the article, it’s a three-year, $18 million dollar deal. This amounts to less than what the Saints reportedly offered him.
Similar to Mark Ingram last year, Bell rejected an offer from the Saints, the Saints opted to then fill the hole via free agency, and then Bell was ultimately forced to accept a lower deal on the market elsewhere.