In case you forgot why the Carolina Panthers signed Vonn Bell to a three-year, $22.5 million contract this offseason, he reminded you why right from the jump on Friday night.
During the very first drive of this evening’s preseason bout with the New York Giants, the standout eighth-year safety did some standout eighth-year safety things—lowering the boom on tight end Darren Waller for a crushing hit:
Vonn Bell in on the hit. pic.twitter.com/SVjxXBOY59
— John Ellis (@1PantherPlace) August 18, 2023
Welcome, Vonn Bell 😤 pic.twitter.com/b4Tapuokgp
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) August 18, 2023
Bell’s blow broke up what would have been about a 13-yard gain for Waller and the Giants. But that, unfortunately for Carolina, hardly slowed New York’s drive down.
Quarterback Daniel Jones ultimately led Big Blue on a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown trek that spanned over four minutes and 55 seconds. Jones connected on eight of his nine tosses, with Bell’s breakup causing the lone incompletion, for 69 yards.
The touch ended on four-yard toss to tight end Daniel Bellinger, helping give the Giants a 7-0 lead at the 10:05 mark of the first quarter.
