Report: Panthers Moving on From Safety Vonn Bell

Carolina opens up a new hole in the secondary.

The roster churn continues.

According to the NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Carolina is releasing veteran safety Vonn Bell.

Panthers are releasing S Vonn Bell, according to league source and as first reported by @TomPelissero.

— Joe Person (@josephperson) March 11, 2024

Bell, 29, was signed by the Panthers last offseason. He inked a three year, $29.5 million contract with Carolina in 2023, and he's gone from the team before the ink has even dried on the contract. 

Bell played nine games in a Panthers uniform. He amassed 40 tackles, forced two fumbles, and hauled in four interceptions in his limited action. Bell spent seven years between New Orleans and Cincinnati before making Charlotte his home.

Examining a Few Options for the Panthers at Center

The release of Bell opens up another need for a roster full of them. Safety was one of the few spots on the roster with incumbent starters singed to deals. Now, general manager Dan Morgan will need to find a running mate for assumed starter Xavier Woods in the back end of the Panthers' defense.

Vonn Bell enters a loaded veteran safety market. Justin Simmons, Xavier McKinney, Eddie Jackson, and Quandre Diggs are just a few names to monitor as Bell's replacement. Dave Canales has discussed the team's newfound focus on forcing turnovers, and a veteran playmaker in the back end will be key in making that happen.

Bell was due a roster bonus this coming Saturday, so releasing him now will save Carolina money against the cap. For a team strapped for cash, any move around the margins to save money must be done. His release saves that $3 million roster bonus, and sheds $6 million of salary for 2024. 

It is clear early on in his tenure that Dan Morgan is looking to right the presumed wrongs of the former regime, and Woods is latest piece to fall into place in the full rebuild happening in Carolina.

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