It feels like eons since the Dallas Cowboys had a formidable defense under Dan Quinn. Yes, Christian Parker seems like a better solution than Mike Zimmer or Matt Eberflus were, but the jury is still out on the young defensive coordinator and the Cowboys' talent on that side of the ball.
Back in the Quinn days, outside of Micah Parsons, the Dallas secondary was the star of the show. Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland certainly lit it up, but America's Team also got great contributions from Stephon Gilmore and safeties Jayron Kearse, Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson, and Markquese Bell.
Only Bland, Hooker and Bell remain from that group after some down years and roster reshuffling due to regime changes. And while Hooker still figures to start at deep safety this year, Bell has been buried on the depth chart by offseason additions and could even be a cut candidate this fall.
Bleacher Report lists Markquese Bell as Dallas Cowboys cut candidate
With the additions of Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke in free agency, and Caleb Downs in the draft, the safety room looks a bit different in Dallas now under Parker. For that reason, Bleacher Report's Moe Moton believes that Bell could be the best player cut by the Cowboys this year.
"The Dallas Cowboys invested in their safety group at a premium, signing Jalen Thompson to a three-year, $33 million deal and drafting Caleb Downs with the No. 11 overall pick. Both will likely start Week 1. According to Clarence Hill Jr. of DLLS Sports, the Cowboys revised the final year of Malik Hooker's deal. That's an indicator he'll remain on the roster.
"In 2025, Markquese Bell logged 41 tackles (one for loss), three pass breakups and an interception while on the field for 32 percent of the defensive snaps, but he may be fourth among safeties on the depth chart. The 27-year-old is also facing felony and misdemeanor drug charges from an April arrest."
Bell had a solid role last year under Eberflus, but he truly starred under Quinn back in 2023. As a second-year player, he played in all 17 games and recorded 94 tackles, including three for a loss, four pass break-ups and two forced fumbles.
He also played great on special teams and took a handful of snaps in the slot every game, just to keep opposing offenses on their toes. Bell, after going undrafted in 2022, found a home in Dallas as a linebacker before Quinn had a stroke of genius and began playing him in a hybrid box safety role.
But Bell got hurt in 2024 and played practically half the defensive snap share under Eberflus. When combined with his off-the-field issues, which now look like a pattern after getting expelled from the University of Maryland while in college, and Bell could be on the chopping block.
It is a sign of progress for the Cowboys when a player who starred just two seasons ago is now considered expendable or a potential cut candidate. This is the situation Dallas finds itself in with Bell, but it'll be a tough call either way for Parker, Brian Schottenheimer and Jerry Jones.
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