The Philadelphia Eagles missed on one of their free agency targets Friday when safety Yeremiah Bell chose to sign with the New York Jets, according to NBC's Pro Football Talk. The Eagles had been Bell's other finalist.
Bell, a 34-year old safety, spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Miami Dolphins. In 2011 with Miami, he had 107 tackles, two sacks and one interception. His best year came in 2009, when he made the Pro Bowl after amassing 114 tackles, three interceptions and 1.5 sacks.
Jeff McLane reports that the Eagles' interest in Bell was tepid at best and was likely mostly a favor to his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, who just locked up a deal between the team and LeSean McCoy.
Bell was likely being brought in to be a just-in-case guy which is why the Eagles weren't very aggressive. I think, more than anything, they were "in the running" to help agent Drew Rosenhaus out. #Payback.
Though many analysts believe that safety is a trouble position for the Eagles, they did not draft a safety and have not signed anyone at the position in free agency. Coach Andy Reid recently said Nate Allen and Kurt Coleman will be the starting safeties at the beginning of offseason workouts.
For more on the Eagles, please be sure to check out our blog Bleeding Green Nation and SB Nation Philly for all the latest news and updates.