Markquese Moves: Dallas Cowboys Position Change for Bell Under Coach Mike Zimmer

Breakout Dallas Cowboys defender Markquese Bell will move back to his original position under new defensive coordinator

Nov 19, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (30) / Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Markquese Bell found success away from his natural safety position last season, as the Dallas Cowboys defender recorded 94 tackles while primarily lining up as a linebacker.

Reportedly, his stint at linebacker may be short-lived, though. According to David Moore of the Dallas Morning News, Bell will move back to safety next season under new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.

Nov 19, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (30) / Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

While Bell found success as a linebacker under former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, Zimmer is an entirely different beast. The former Minnesota Vikings head coach likes his linebackers to be on the bigger side, and at 6-3 and 205 pounds, Bell is a bit undersized to fit that criteria.

Even considering that, moving Bell back to safety has a noticeable impact on the Cowboys' depth at linebacker. Damone Clark, newcomer Eric Kendricks and DeMarvion Overshown, who missed his entire rookie season with a preseason ACL tear, but there's practically no depth behind them. No, Micah Parsons doesn't count as he's much more of a pass-rusher than a traditional off-ball linebacker.

With the lackluster depth at linebacker, the Cowboys could very well target the position in the draft. They've already scheduled a meeting with Michigan's Junior Colson, and have been connected to other top linebacker prospects as well.

Meanwhile, Bell will rejoin Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson and Juanyeh Thomas in a solid Dallas safety room.