One year into a three-year contract with the Carolina Panthers, Vonn Bell is now a free agent.
The Panthers released Bell on Monday. Last offseason, they signed the onetime Ohio State star to a three-year deal worth up to $22.5 million.
Now, he’s the latest cap casualty in Carolina, joining tight end Hayden Hurst, center Bradley Bozeman and cornerback Donte Jackson.
“Bell was due a $3 million roster bonus on March 16, which has been a theme among all the guys Panthers are cutting,” said Joseph Person of The Athletic. “Will be interesting to see if they pursue Justin Simmons, who was with Ejiro Evero in Denver.”
In his lone season in Carolina, Bell started 13 games, recording 69 tackles, two passes defensed and one interception. Prior to signing with the Panthers, he spent three seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals after playing four years with the New Orleans Saints, who drafted him back in 2016.
For his career, Bell has logged 705 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 15 forced fumbles, 11 fumble recoveries and seven interceptions in 122 regular season games.
The Panthers are heading into their first season under new head coach Dave Canales after going 2-15 in 2023 under Frank Reich and interim replacement Chris Tabor.