Just weeks after bringing him in as a late-season reinforcement, the Carolina Panthers have already decided to move on from safety in a move that has quietly raised eyebrows around the league.
Bell’s time in Carolina was short, but it certainly wasn’t uneventful.
The Panthers claimed Bell off waivers on December 31, just days before the regular-season finale, signaling a desire to add experienced depth to a secondary preparing for postseason football. That decision paid immediate dividends — Bell wasn’t just a depth body. He was active for Carolina’s playoff matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, seeing the field on the biggest stage of the season.
Now, less than a month later, he’s gone.
Bell entered the season with the Seattle Seahawks, where his year was defined by constant movement. He bounced between Seattle’s practice squad and active roster, a testament to both his reliability as a call-up option and the crowded nature of NFL safety rooms. When Carolina scooped him up at the end of December, it appeared Bell had finally found some late-season stability.
Instead, his stay in Charlotte turned into a blink-and-you-missed-it chapter.
With the Panthers now waiving Bell, he becomes immediately available to be claimed by any team, and given his recent playoff experience and versatility in the secondary, it wouldn’t be surprising if another franchise takes a look.
Roster churn is nothing new in the NFL, especially during the postseason and early offseason. Teams are constantly evaluating younger options, cap flexibility, and future depth charts. For the Panthers, this move may signal confidence in their existing safety group — or the beginning of more roster shakeups to come.
Still, waiving a player who was active in a playoff game less than a month ago underscores just how ruthless the league can be.
For Bell, the waiver wire offers a familiar path. His experience in Seattle and Carolina proves he can step in on short notice, contribute on special teams, and handle defensive snaps when called upon. For teams dealing with injuries, thin depth, or offseason evaluations, Bell could be a low-risk addition with recent game action under his belt.
One thing is certain: his NFL journey is far from over.
As the Panthers turn the page, D’Anthony Bell’s phone could ring at any moment — and his next stop might come faster than anyone expects.