The Bengals are bringing back a familiar face to their defense.
Cincinnati has agreed to a one-year deal with safety Vonn Bell, according to his agent, David Canter.
Bell, 29, was previously with the Bengals from 2020-2022, starting 48 games for the club. He then signed a three-year deal with the Panthers last offseason and started 13 games but was released earlier this week.
The Bengals will benefit from Bell’s previous contract, as the Panthers will pay most of Bell’s $6 million salary in 2024. Per multiple reports, Cincinnati will pay Bell the veteran minimum.
A Saints second-round pick in 2016, Bell has appeared in 122 career games with 106 starts over his eight-year career. He’s recorded 37 passes defensed, seven interceptions, 15 forced fumbles, 11 fumble recoveries, and 9.5 sacks.
The Browns have found a replacement for Harrison Bryant.
They have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with Giovanni Ricci, according to multiple reports.
He appeared in 36 games with four starts in three seasons in Carolina.
Ricci, 27, has played some fullback as well as tight end and is a core special teams player. He has played 337 offensive snaps and 647 on special teams in his career.
He went on injured reserve last season with a shoulder injury and played only five games.
The Panthers chose not to tender him as a restricted free agent, allowing Ricci to become a free agent.
Free agent edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney has interest from a few teams, including the Ravens.
His first free agent visit will be to Carolina on Thursday, Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reports.
Clowney is a Rock Hill, South Carolina, native who played at the University of South Carolina.
Although he is a former No. 1 overall pick, Clowney has played for five different teams by signing a series of one-year contracts. He was drafted by the Texans in 2014 and after five seasons there played one season in Seattle, one in Tennessee, two in Cleveland and one in Baltimore.
Clowney, 31, tied his career high with 9.5 sacks last season with the Ravens.
In 10 years, he has 52.5 career sacks and three Pro Bowls.
After agreeing to trade Donte Jackson to the Steelers, the Panthers have added another cornerback.
Per Tom Pelissero of NFL Media, Carolina has agreed to terms with former Buffalo corner Dane Jackson on a two-year deal.
Jackson’s contract is worth up to $14.5 million, Pelissero reports.
A Bills seventh-round pick in 2020, Jackson has appeared in 52 games with 28 starts over his first four seasons. In 2023, he recorded 39 total tackles with five passes defensed and a forced fumble in 15 games. He also had four passes defensed in Buffalo’s two postseason games.
In 52 career contests, Jackson has recorded 28 passes defensed with three interceptions.
Raheem Blackshear will be back with the Panthers in 2024.
The Panthers announced on Wednesday that they have tendered Blackshear a contract as an exclusive rights free agent. The move bars other teams from negotiating with Blackshear, who can sign the tender at any point.
Blackshear signed with the Panthers while he was on the Bills practice squad in 2022 and the running back has seen time on offense while also serving as Carolina’s kickoff returner.
Blackshear has 37 carries for 123 yards and a touchdown to go with 16 catches for 138 yards. He has also averaged 26.9 yards per kickoff return during his two years with the club.
