Panthers Free Agent Updates

[KatsAzz]

Vonn Bell Signs Contract With Carolina Panthers
By: Drew Crabtree, Editor | March 13, 2023

Vonn Bell, a seven-year veteran safety, and the Carolina Panthers have agreed to terms on a contract. Bell was a member of the Cincinnati Bengals secondary for the past three years.

With the 61st pick of the 2016 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints selected Bell out of Ohio State. As a Buckeye, Bell helped lead Ohio State to a CFP National Championship with his play. The Saints saw his leadership abilities along with his hard-hitting and took a shot in the second round.

As a rookie, Bell appeared in all 16 games, starting in 14. He finished second on the team with 87 tackles and added four pass breakups and two forced fumbles. In his second year, he appeared in every game again, but only started 10. Bell broke out by leading the much-improved defense with 83 tackles and added another two forced fumbles and 4.5 sacks.

In his third year, Bell again appeared in every game but only started in half. Despite that, he finished with the second-most tackles on the team with 89 and added three pass breakups and a forced fumble. Heading into a contract year, Bell knew that he had to step up and he did just that. In 2019, Bell finished second again in tackles with 89 but finally notched his first-career interception in Week 11 in a win over Tampa Bay. He tallied five fumble recoveries, one of which was a scoop-and-score, and 1.5 sacks.

The Bengals then signed bell to a three-year deal, establishing their identity on defense. In his first year in Cincinnati, Bell led the team with 114 tackles, a career-high, and also forced three fumbles along the way. In 2021, Bell was a massive piece in the Bengals Super Bowl LVI run. During the regular season, Bell finished with the second-mot tackles with 97, eight pass breakups, and an interception. In the playoffs, Bell continued his great play and was the recipient of an interception on the first drive of Overtime in the AFC Championship game which set up the game-winning field goal.

Last year, Bell took a step back in terms of tackles by only recording 77. However, he set a career-high with four, including his first career two-interception game in Week 4 on Thursday Night against the Dolphins. He also forced a pair of fumbles, the second of which was a clutch strip of Rhamondre Stephenson which effectively secured the win for the Bengals. In his three-year career in Cincinnati, he only ever missed one game: Week 18 in 2021 where most of the Bengals veterans sat.

[Smithers]

 

[NAS]

Prediction: Draft will be offense oriented 

[ladypanther]

https://theathletic.com/live-blogs/nfl-free-agency-live-updates-signings-deals-news-2023/fRR5dCxHZ2RC/

TY Zac.

[App Panther]

2 minutes ago, ladypanther said:

https://theathletic.com/live-blogs/nfl-free-agency-live-updates-signings-deals-news-2023/fRR5dCxHZ2RC/

TY Zac.

That is Bill Bellchik mentality. Zac Taylor is not BB even on his worst day. 

[Bluetooth]

2 hours ago, Smithers said:

 

I dunno that bell signing making a lot of noise

_sidenote: Bobby Wagner still is a free agent, hint hint.

[CPcavedweller]

1 hour ago, TheSpecialJuan said:

 

Well, he's a 3 tech and we are running an odd man front. We need 0/1 techs and 3/5 techs who move live defensive ends but with the ability to anchor. Brown will provide some versatility, where he can kick it inside on pass rush downs, but outside of that, everyone should be concerned about our defense line. 

[Ricky Spanish]

8 minutes ago, Smithers said:

 

Personally not thrilled at this. Eddy was great outside one game, plus he doesn't get injured during warmups consistently. 

[CPcavedweller]

1 minute ago, Bluetooth said:

I dunno that bell signing making a lot of noise

_sidenote: Bobby Wagner still is a free agent, hint hint.

We aren't going to have the space to sign a guy like Wagner, plus we already have Shaq and Luvu so we are going to be looking for depth guys. We will need to spend on the front 7 but it will be for a true 3-4 olb and defensive ends. We also probably need a 0 tech.

Our defense has a chance to be a disaster next year, particularly in defending the run. 

[KatsAzz]

5 minutes ago, ladypanther said:

https://theathletic.com/live-blogs/nfl-free-agency-live-updates-signings-deals-news-2023/fRR5dCxHZ2RC/

TY Zac.

I can see where teams like younger players but getting rid of them just because they will turn 30 during their contract years can easily back fire.

It would be interesting to know just many good players the Bengals have lost by sticking to that age 30 concept?

[Mr. Scot]

 

[Smithers]

Alright we still need:

Pass Rusher 

TE

WR

C

[Mr. Scot]

1 minute ago, Smithers said:

Alright we still need:

Pass Rusher 

TE

WR

C

Hopefully 'C' is Bozeman

[Smithers]

1 minute ago, Mr. Scot said:

Hopefully 'C' is Bozeman

Agreed