One of the new guys got the lair shaking on Monday night.
Carolina Panthers safety Vonn Bell, who was signed to a three-year, $22.5 million deal this spring, picked up the team’s first takeaway by picking off his former team. The interception came near the end of the first half, when quarterback Derek Carr tried to find wide receiver Chris Olave downfield on a third-and-4.
Buy Panthers TicketsVonn Bell picks off his former team! @Panthers @Vonn
📺: #NOvsCAR on ESPN
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/zWM8hlwdPY pic.twitter.com/5EVA3A9HpG— NFL (@NFL) September 19, 2023
PANTHERS HYPED AFTER THE VONN BELL INT 🔥 #NOvsCAR pic.twitter.com/pq5nNtOBiv
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 19, 2023
The 28-year-old is coming off a stingy campaign with the Cincinnati Bengals—where he recorded a career-high four interceptions. Bell had amassed just two picks in his six prior NFL seasons.
Unfortunately for the Panthers, the offense could not cash in on the snag. Just four players later, rookie quarterback Bryce Young was strip-sacked by Saints defensive lineman Carl Granderson in the red zone.
After a few bounces, Young’s loose ball would eventually be recovered by cornerback Paulson Abedo at New Orleans’ 41-yard line.
Carolina went into the half down 6-3.
