The Seahawks’ offseason moves have had fans either nodding in approval or shaking their heads in disbelief. On one hand, they got younger, cheaper, and—depending on who you ask—better at quarterback by swapping Geno Smith for Sam Darnold. On the other hand, ESPN’s Ben Solak thinks they took a step back, calling out their decision to move on from DK Metcalf and questioning whether Darnold can sustain his Minnesota-level play in Seattle. “I don’t see the vision,” he said. And honestly? Given how this offseason has unfolded, that’s a fair criticism.
But while Seattle’s quarterback situation is stealing the headlines, let’s talk about a move that flew under the radar—and might actually pay off. The Seahawks just signed safety D’Anthony Bell, a guy who’s made a name for himself grinding it out on special teams. He may not be a blockbuster addition, but when you need someone to bring the heat on kick coverage or step in as a depth piece in the secondary, Bell’s the kind of guy you want on the roster.
His journey? Far from conventional. Bell went undrafted out of West Florida in 2022—yeah, not exactly a football powerhouse—but clawed his way onto the Browns’ roster. Over three seasons in Cleveland, he appeared in 50 games, racking up 61 tackles, two picks, four passes defensed, and a forced fumble. More importantly, he owned special teams, logging over 1,000 snaps and leading the Browns with 28 special teams tackles over that span. In 2024 alone, he ranked fourth in the entire league with 15 special teams tackles.
Bell knows what it’s like to fight for a roster spot. Back in 2022, he admitted the waiting game was brutal. “I have to put my phone on ring,” he said after his final preseason game with the Browns. “I am really nervous. Hopefully, God will help me make this team.” That’s the kind of hunger you want in a player—someone who isn’t just happy to be here but is willing to put in the work to stay here. And that work ethic has paid off.
In Mike Macdonald’s system, Bell could carve out a meaningful role. With K’Von Wallace currently a free agent and Rayshawn Jenkins recently cut, the third safety spot is wide open. Bell has the size (6’1”, 211 lbs) and the experience to compete for snaps beyond just special teams. And knowing Macdonald, a coach who loves versatility in his secondary, Bell might just find himself in the mix sooner rather than later.
So, while the Seahawks’ offseason might have its fair share of question marks, this move? Low risk, high reward. Bell isn’t here to steal the spotlight, but he’s exactly the kind of player who keeps the engine running. And who knows? By the time the season rolls around, he might just prove to be one of Seattle’s most underrated signings.
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