Why Vonn Bell might be the most important player the Bengals have on defense

Cincinnati Bengals safety Vonn Bell made the play of the day.

Bell crept up to the line of scrimmage right before the ball was snapped to backup quarterback Brandon Allen who is starting due to Joe Burrow’s absence. He signaled to cornerback Eli Apple and originally followed tight end Cam Sample. With his eyes, Bell saw Allen was targeting Hayden Hurst running over the middle and dropped back to pick Allen off.

A veteran play made by one of the oldest starters on the defensive side of the ball.

In March of 2020, the Bengals signed Bell to a three-year deal worth $18 million and he’s become one of the most important pieces in defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s scheme. Bell is entering the final

The 27-year-old is valuable to the Bengals in many ways but his leadership on and off the field tops the list. He’s a team captain and one of the main voices on defense. He’s also the player who carries the responsibility of making sure everyone is lined up right in Anarumo’s scheme.

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Typically, in the NFL, the defensive player who wears the green dot is the middle linebacker and is mostly responsible for making sure everyone is on the same page. That’s not to say linebacker Logan Wilson, who wears the Bengals’ green dot doesn’t fulfill this role. Wilson just has the benefit of having a seven-year veteran behind him who can see even more. Anarumo is known for his complex scheme is and its imperative communication is strong to ensure there’s no miscues.

“The safety has to be vocal,” Bell said. “We see the whole picture; we see the whole field. We see it and over analyze everything so we see it before it happens, and we can adjust it and get it out to everyone.”

Not only is Bell influential on the field, but he also plays a key role in helping younger players learn what it takes to be a professional. Bell is meticulous about his preparation and it’s why he’s been able to play at the level he has for as long as he has. He has not missed a game since singing with the Bengals.

He’s the first player in the building every morning to get his early lifts in, sometimes even before coaches get to their offices. Bell also keeps himself on a strict diet year-round. In the offseason, after Bell finishes weightlifting at 5 a.m., he eats and then either heads to physical therapy or does Pilates. His day is done before some even wakeup.

“Staying within the routine,” Bell said of how he’s been able to stay so fresh throughout his career. “Rest for sure, sleep is very important. Eating right. Staying in the workout room. Just protecting yourself… taking care of your body.”

Bell was the creator of the Bengals’ weekly breakfast club that helped Cincinnati’s defense take the next step in 2021. The defensive backs gathered on Tuesdays, the players day off, for an early morning film study to get ahead for the week. Each week, a different player was responsible for bringing breakfast. Most of the time it ends up being Chick Fil-A.

Of course, Bell doesn’t let himself indulge.

Having Bell in the safeties room is a big deal for the Bengals currently given their situation with Jessie Bates and having recently drafted Dax Hill in the first round of this year's draft. Bell can help Hill learn the defense and gives him tips on what to do and not do. Bates is also one of the main leaders on the defensive side of the Ball but has yet to report to training camp due to failed contract negotiations with the team.

The Bengals believe Bates will return for the season at some point, it’s just unclear when that might be.

Cincinnati certainly wishes Bates and Bell were taking the starting reps at safety every day at practice but that’s not how the cards have fallen at this time. But having Bell in house with Hill improving every day, the Bengals remain in good shape on defense.

As far as what the future holds for Bell, he doesn’t know and isn’t worried about it at the time. When asked how long he wants to play, he said he doesn’t know. With the way he takes care of his body, his career isn’t ending anytime soon.

This could end up being Bell’s final year in Cincinnati or he could re-sign next offseason. The future is undetermined at this point but as long as Bell is lining up on the Bengals’ practice fields, his team is getting the best version of himself.

And it couldn’t be more important at this moment.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Bengals safety Vonn Bell key to defense