Part two of our annual review of the Miami Dolphins’ impending free agents comes to us this morning with a look at another player with an expiring contract. The Dolphins have 35 players slotted to hit free agency when the new league year begins on March 13. The list does not include the salary cap releases the team has made, such as wide receiver Tyreek Hill, guard James Daniels, or wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, or cuts they are expected to make, such as linebacker Bradley Chubb.
We started this year’s version of the series with cornerback Kader Kohou. We stay on the defense today with linebacker Quinton Bell, a former seventh-round draft pick by the then-Oakland Raiders. Primarily a practice squad player in hit time with the Dolphins, Bell has shown flashes in training camp, but has he done enough to stick with Miami for another season?
As I did yesterday, I ended this article with an embed from X, giving you a chance to vote on what you think the Dolphins should do. Feel free to also head into the comments to discuss Miami’s options with Bell.
Previous player reviews
Biography
Quinton Bell
Position: Linebacker
Age (when season begins): 30
College: Prairie View A&M
Draft: 2019 7th Round (Oakland Raiders)
Experience: 7 years
Previous Teams:
- Oakland Raiders (2019 (Practice Squad))
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2019-2020)
- Super Bowl LV Champion
- Atlanta Falcons (2021-2022)
- Philadelphia Eagles (2023 Preseason)
- Miami Dolphins (2023-2025)
Pro Bowl, All-Pro, Awards: None
Expiring Contract
1 year, $1.5 million
2025 Review
Bell returned to the Dolphins in May 2025 after playing in all 17 games, including three starts, for the Dolphins during the 2024 season. He brings energy and attack to the defense, but he found himself buried on the depth chart. He was among the final roster cuts, then re-signed to the practice squad. Ultimately, he played in seven games during the year, recording eight defensive tackle and a fumble recovery. He is a good special-teams player when he is available to play.
2026 Outlook
New head coach Jeff Hafley works out of a 4-3 base defense, with not a lot of blitzing expected for the team. That could see Bell move into a defensive end role, or Miami could look to transition him into a depth weakside linebacker. Whatever defensive role he lands, Bell is likely to continue to be a key special teams player.
Walk, Tag, or Re-Sign?
Projected franchise tag (linebacker): $28.2 million (via OverTheCap.com)
Re-sign. Bell is not expensive and provides solid depth. This feels like a 50/50 choice. If the coaches decide they want to get a younger player into a rotational role and fill the special teams requirements, that could make sense as well.
What do you think Miami should do? Vote here and head to the comments to discuss:
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