Why it's a make or break season for Cincinnati Bengals defensive back
The Cincinnati Bengals will have a decision to make after the 2022 season. Re-sign safety Vonn Bell or let him walk? Bell signed a three-year deal worth $18 million prior to the 2020 season after the New Orleans Saints let the former Ohio State standout walk at the conclusion of his rookie contract. Getting Bell […]
The Cincinnati Bengals will have a decision to make after the 2022 season.
Re-sign safety Vonn Bell or let him walk?
Bell signed a three-year deal worth $18 million prior to the 2020 season after the New Orleans Saints let the former Ohio State standout walk at the conclusion of his rookie contract.
Getting Bell for $6 million a year has proved to be a decent deal for Cincinnati. Bell is the 20th highest-paid safety in the NFL. And he finished the 2021 season as the No. 21 graded safety by Pro Football Focus.
Cincy is essentially getting what they paid for.
I think the Bengals would be fine with bringing Bell back on a similar deal to what they gave him two years ago.
Here's the problem:
I think Bell is going to want more.
Bell will turn 28 in December. His next contract will likely be the biggest contract he ever gets in the NFL. Bell will be looking to maximize his earnings with this contract, which means there probably won't be a "hometown" discount for the Bengals.
I also think that Bell's interception of Patrick Mahomes in the Bengals' AFC Championship game win against the Kansas City Chiefs will inflate his value a bit.
The Bengals will have to decide if they're willing to pay Bell more than he's worth or go with another option at safety.
That's why I think 2022 is a make-or-break season for the veteran defensive back. While Bell has played well in Cincy, he's going to have to step it up if he wants to get top-10 safety money from the Bengals. There's no way Cincinnati pays Bell top 10 money if he finishes the season as the No. 21 highest-graded safety again.
Bell specifically needs to improve his run defense — that's easily the weakest part of his game (his run defense grade was 67.5 while his pass coverage grade was 78.0).
Ultimately I think Bell is a player that needs to be back in Cincinnati after his contract is up. But only if it makes sense. Bell essentially has to make it impossible for the Bengals to consider a future without him on the roster.
Also of importance: Cincinnati will likely look to extend quarterback Joe Burrow at the end of next season (when he's initially eligible to be extended). Moving on from Bell could be a way the team looks to save money (draft another safety for cheaper to start).
That's why a huge year from Bell in 2022 could determine his future in Cincy.
Featured image via Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
