Markquese Bell is returning to the Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys have locked up their third defensive player of the week. After signing defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa to a four-year extension, and picking up the contract option on safety Juanyeh Thomas, the Cowboys have agreed to a three-year deal worth up to $12 million with safety Markquese Bell, who was an undrafted free agent in 2022.
The #Cowboys and safety Markquese Bell have agreed to terms on a three-year deal with a max value of $12M, per sources. pic.twitter.com/kLfSoDEuvY
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 9, 2025
Bell logged just 22 defensive snaps as a rookie. It would be the 2023 season where he would make his mark, but not at safety. Despite being very undersized, Bell played linebacker under former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn that season and finished second on the team with 94 tackles. However, once the Cowboys got deep into the regular season, and eventually the playoffs, Bell’s lack of size hurt the Cowboys defense as teams were able to run the ball and control the clock.
The 2024 campaign saw Bell go back to his natural position of safety. He would only play 34 defensive plays as Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker handled safety duties. Dallas now has Wilson, Hooker, Thomas and Bell locked in. Wilson will be a free agent in 2026, so this move covers them if he isn’t retained. Nonetheless, the Cowboys have solid safety depth going into 2025.