The Cincinnati Bengals get Vonn Bell, a compensatory pick and free cap space in one free-agency move.
More important than anything is Bell’s return to help fix communication errors that led to a young secondary coughing up more explosive plays than other any team last year.
But the fine details sure don’t hurt, either.
For example, as Over The Cap’s Nick Korte pointed out, the Bengals earned a sixth-round compensatory pick that came in part because of Bell’s departure, yet he’ll be on their roster the same year as said draft pick.
To top it all off, the Panthers will effectively pay Bell’s salary for next season. By cutting him after the first year of his contract, Carolina pays him $6 million this year. The Bengals, meanwhile, signed him for the veteran minimum.
These are small side notes to Bell’s return. But getting an extra draft pick and watching another team essentially pay up for him to play in Cincinnati in 2024 are nice bonuses. The team, of course, will be more focused on how he can rotate with and mentor Dax Hill and Jordan Battle alongside new free agent arrival Geno Stone.
