The Dallas Cowboys were not going to let breakout safety Markquese Bell reach NFL free agency. Dallas signed the restricted free agent to a three-year contract with a maximum value of $12 million on Sunday.
The former undrafted free agent plays an important role as a depth safety on the roster who makes a meaningful impact on special teams. While this type of move doesn't get national headlines, it can serve as the foundation to build on for bigger moves that help Dallas compete for a Super Bowl.
Bell's contract is great news for him and a Cowboys fanbase that has grown to adore him, but it is not great news for everyone.
Cowboys re-signing Markquese Bell may be bad news for Donovan Wilson
There are only so many roster spots to go around and when you are already a cut candidate, a signing at your position can put you on edge. That might be how safety Donovan Wilson is feeling after the Markquese Bell signing.
Wilson is in front of Bell on the defensive depth chart but he is not irreplaceable. In fact, Wilson had a rather mediocre season where he took a step back from the year before. With Wilson now on the wrong side of 30, it makes all the sense in the world for Dallas to at least consider other options.
After all, the Cowboys would free up an additional $5.35 million in cap space by cutting Wilson this offseason. That may not seem like much but with an expensive Micah Parsons contract extension (hopefully) on the horizon, every penny counts.
The Cowboys may be exploring a bigger role for Bell after signing him to a multi-year deal. It would be one thing if Dallas re-upped him for just one season but a three-year contract shows faith in the young safety. That faith may result in Bell climbing the depth chart.
Dallas does not have to rush either way. The team has until June 1 to create cap space by cutting Wilson and may want to see how free agency is shaking out. Cutting Wilson does not have to be set in stone as the Cowboys can first get a lay of the land before committing to a move.
One thing is for certain, though. With Bell signing a new contract before free agency even begins, the odds of Wilson getting cut went up.
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