‘He’s just a winner’: Panthers’ Vonn Bell gets big endorsement from Bengals’ Zac Taylor

If the Carolina Panthers were looking for someone to set the tone for their new-look defense this season, they might have hit the free agency jackpot with the signing of former Cincinnati Bengals safety Vonn Bell.

Bell, 28, signed a three-year, $22.5 million deal with the Panthers during the first wave of free agency. The safety’s former boss, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor, says the Panthers have brought in a player who knows how to succeed.

“He’s just a winner,” Taylor said Monday during the NFL’s annual meeting at the Arizona Biltmore. “He’s won everywhere he’s been. At Ohio State, top recruit, won championships. New Orleans played in (2018) NFC championship. He came to us, played in a Super Bowl and (AFC) championships. He will bring that mentality to Carolina.”

So far, Bell is the Panthers’ lone addition to the secondary in free agency. But, in theory, he’s a major acquisition for a young defensive backfield that has dealt with constant change during the past couple of seasons.

Known for his ability to lead by example, Bell can serve as the ideal mentor for the likes of Jaycee Horn, CJ Henderson and Sam Franklin. After posting 636 tackles, 15 forced fumbles and six interceptions over the course of seven NFL seasons — which included three trips to championship games and a Super Bowl matchup — Bell should immediately command the respect of his new teammates.

Bell should also quickly gain the trust of his coaching staff as a veteran leader.

Taylor, who coached Bell for three seasons in Cincinnati, believes Bell’s unflinching honesty and consistency helped the young head coach during their time together. Bell can offer that same assistance to head coach Frank Reich and defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.

“He was consistent every day for us,” Taylor said. “Shows up at 6 a.m. — first one in the building. He was always transparent with me. Anytime we had a one-on-one conversation, I always knew I was going to get what I needed from him — and whether I wanted to hear it or not, he was going to be truthful with me. That was good — you need that from some of your veteran players.”