While the Cowboys weren't exactly quiet during free agency this spring, there is still plenty of work to do for this team that finished 7-9-1 in 2025.
Not only did they add some key players in free agency and via trades, but they also re-signed some of the core depth as well.
Still, there are other guys on this team that must take that next step in order for the Cowboys to be successful in 2026.
Today, we'll continue the Next Man Up series with safety Markquese Bell.
- Name: Markquese Bell
- Position: Safety
- Experience: 4thYear
- Games Played/Starts: 48 / 11
- Years Left on Contract: 3
- How Acquired: Undrafted free agent in 2022 (Florida A&M)
- Key Stat: Now ranks 10th on the team in longest tenure with the Cowboys, having made the team as a rookie free agent in 2022.
The Past: Bell has worn many hats already in his time with the Cowboys, starting out more of a reserve defensive back that has developed into a significant role player on this defense. Keep in mind, the Cowboys have seen four different defensive coordinators in the last four seasons and Bell has played for all of them. Considered more of a "tweener" between safety and linebacker – a position he's played both in his career, Bell recorded over 100 tackles in 2023 where he started mostly as a linebacker in Dan Quinn's defense. He reverted back to safety under Mike Zimmer's scheme and then Matt Eberflus' system last year. Against the Raiders in the 2025 game, Bell picked off Geno Smith for one of six interceptions the Cowboys had all season long, tying the franchise-low for a Cowboys defense.
The Present: Don't look now, but Markquese Bell has suddenly become one of the longest-tenured players on this roster. Bell ranks 10th on the team in time spent with the Cowboys, especially after some of the changes over this last offseason. So what does that actually mean for Bell? It means he's a guy the Cowboys should be able to lean on in a variety of roles. Not only has he played linebacker and safety, but Bell was one of seven players last year to record at least 10 special teams tackles. So he's a Swiss-Army-Knife in a lot of ways with his ability to play multiple positions, especially throughout the game. The Cowboys did sign a pair of free-agent safeties in Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke, along with restructuring Malik Hooker's contract and not bringing back Donovan Wilson. It'll be interesting to see how Bell's versatility will be used by defensive coordinator Christian Parker, who is looking to play multiple fronts. In doing so, it benefits players such as Bell who has experienced playing in multiple schemes.
The Future: Not long after the Cowboys introduced Christian Parker as the new defensive coordinator, his head coach Brian Schottenheimer was asked how important position-flex is for these players to fit into the scheme. Immediately, Schottenheimer mentioned Bell as one of the defensive players who could have a major impact. The Cowboys can use Bell close to the line of scrimmage in nickel situations, relying on his linebacker experience. He'll also be one of the key contributors on special teams. Bell has two seasons remaining on his three-year extension he signed last year but unless he shores up a starting spot, he'll be like the rest of the players battling for their jobs and their NFL future with every snap.
