Playing multiple positions for the Cowboys over the past two years, Markquese Bell will be staying in town. A day before the legal tampering period launches free agency, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler reports Bell is re-signing with Dallas.
Bell, who has played both safety and linebacker with the Cowboys, is staying on a three-year deal that can max out at $12MM. Most of Bell’s first two seasons will be guaranteed, Fowler adds. This deal comes as Bell was to be a restricted free agent.
The Cowboys acquired Bell as a UDFA out of Florida A&M and deployed him as a backup in 2022. After the first of Demarvion Overshown’s major injuries (an ACL tear) occurred in 2023, Dallas slid Bell into a linebacker role primarily. Bell was certainly undersized for the position but made 94 tackles (three for loss) and forced two fumbles.
Dallas did transition Bell back to safety last season, as Overshown returned and Eric Kendricks arrived in free agency. Bell did not factor into Dallas’ defense much during Mike Zimmer’s return, as he finished with just six tackles. Bell missed eight games as well, so it will be a bit interesting to see the base value of this deal.
The Cowboys still roster safety starters Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker. Barring another return to linebacker, Bell will be in position as a top backup and special-teamer heading into his age-26 season.