New Orleans Saints: Laying down a blueprint for the rest of free agency

Re-sign Vonn Bell

After the season he had last year, Vonn Bell deserves a raise. No one could argue that.

The problem is, after the moves, the Saints have made already this offseason, there’s no way they are going the be able to pay the man the money he’s looking for, or at least not the money Carolina can offer him.

The Saints reportedly made Bell an offer, then signed Malcolm Jenkins before Bell could refuse or accept the offer. That doesn’t necessarily mean that the team’s moved on from Bell, but it does say that they are prepared to be, if necessary.

Bell is reportedly being wooed by Carolina. The rebuilding Panthers have plenty of cap to offer Bell, and he’d get the chance to take the reigns of a young secondary prepared to elevate their game.

It’s likely, however, that Bell will struggle anywhere else but New Orleans. His coverage skills are lacking, and he’s best utilized as a hard-hitting run support defender.

This is where the leverage lies for the Saints, and why adding Robey-Coleman and Malcolm Jenkins was as much a must for Bell as it was for the team: with a stacked secondary, Bell would be free to be deployed as the cannonball he is.

The best chance for success for both the Saints and Vonn Bell lie with each other.