Browns Surprisingly Release Wide Receiver Just Before Start of Season

Just a few days before the start of the new NFL season, the Cleveland Browns have decided to release wide receiver David Bell. Bell was more of a depth piece for the Browns, but the decision to cut ties with him certainly is an interesting one.

The Browns selected Bell with the No. 99 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Purdue. He appeared in 31 games for Cleveland in his two seasons, catching 38 passes for 381 yards and three touchdowns.

Despite the hype that surrounded Bell when he entered into the NFL, he wasn’t able to put it all together. Bell was a star while at Purdue, putting up 93 receptions for 1,286 yards and six scores in his final season with the Boilermakers.

He was named to the First-Team All-Big-Ten twice and was named the Richter-Howard Receiver of the Year. Bell also was a Consensus All-American for the 2021 season.

Cleveland believed that Bell could be the next big-time wide receiver for them but it never panned out. But it’s clear that Bell is missed in the Cleveland locker room.

Wide receiver coach Chad O’Shea was very high on the upside of Bell but said that he trusted general manager Andrew Berry for his decision.

The Browns will now enter the season with a receiving core of Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, and Elijah Moore as the centerpieces. Cleveland has decent depth, likely making their choice to waive Bell more apparent.

They are led by starting quarterback Deshaun Watson, who is coming back from injury. He has been training all offseason to get back onto the field and will be relied upon heavily this season.

Working with his receivers, Watson is hopeful to get the Browns back to the postseason. He spoke earlier in the summer about the connection he was building with the wideouts

“The connection’s been awesome. Me and Amari even with all the other guys, it’s not like he’s missed a beat,” Watson said, via Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot. “Amari’s always been there. We know what he can do. He’s shown that. He’s shown that over the offseason. The brotherhood, the love, the communication, none of that stuff has missed a beat at all.”

If Watson can remain healthy, Cleveland may be able to put together another strong season. Playing in the loaded AFC Conference, the Browns will look to stake their claim as one of the better teams in the NFL.

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