The likely return to safety for Markquese Bell is the right move by the Cowboys

The experiment at linebacker needed to come to an end.

Under the guidance of former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, the Dallas Cowboys tried an experiment in 2023. With rookie linebacker DeMarvion Overshown being lost for the season with a torn ACL, and veteran Leighton Vander Esch being lost early in the year, Markquese Bell, who came in as a safety, was asked to handle linebacker duties in Quinn’s scheme. Bell performed well as he racked up 94 tackles, the second-most on the team behind Damone Clark.

The only problem with Bell’s switch to linebacker was that he is only 205 pounds, making him extremely undersized. Late last season, and even more in the Cowboys playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers, the Cowboys got destroyed in the run game due to their lack of size at linebacker, Bell in particular. However, with new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer on the staff, it appears a return to safety is coming for Bell according to reports from David Moore of the Dallas Morning News and Nick Eatman of DallasCowboys.com over the last week.

This is something that I mentioned back in February when it came to Bell due to what happened at the end of last season. Simply put, it’s the right move because Bell is a natural at the safety position. While he was at Florida A&M, Bell showed the ability to play down in the box as well and to cover on the back end. He was effective in man and zone coverages and used his 4.41 speed well to play downhill and be a good run-stopper as well.

With veteran Jayron Kearse unlikely to return, it makes sense to put Bell back at safety with the Cowboys likely going back to bigger sized linebackers under Zimmer like veteran Eric Kendricks who tips the scale at 232 pounds and Clark being 240 pounds. Dallas still has Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker who are good players at safety. Also, there’s Juanyeh Thomas, who has flashed lately and Israel Mukuamu in the mix. So, getting Bell back to in the safety room gives the Cowboys a very solid group with youth for the future.

Bell should be commended for how he performed at such a physically demanding position like linebacker as a guy that’s barely over 200 pounds. However, getting him back on the third level better suits his skill set.