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Bell chooses Jets over Eagles

Yeremiah Bell made his choice and it was not the Eagles. The free agent safety signed a one-year contract with the New York Jets, an NFL confirmed, after he narrowed his choices down to two teams.

Safety Yeremiah Bell signed a one-year deal with the Jets. (Hans Deryk/AP Photo)
Safety Yeremiah Bell signed a one-year deal with the Jets. (Hans Deryk/AP Photo)Read more

Yeremiah Bell made his choice, and it was not the Eagles.

The free agent safety signed a one-year contract with the New York Jets, an NFL source confirmed Friday, after he narrowed his choices down to two teams.

The Jets and Eagles made the same offer at one point Friday morning, a source close to the situation said, but New York upped its ante and bagged the 34-year-old veteran. Bell's deal was for $1.4 million overall with $200,000 guaranteed.

The Eagles' initial interest in Bell was lukewarm. But when the market dried up and his price dropped they became players.

Bell would have been brought in to push the Eagles' collection of young safeties and possibly be a safety net had Nate Allen, Kurt Coleman, or Jaiquawn Jarrett struggled. Bell reached the Pro Bowl in 2009 for the Dolphins and played under new Eagles defensive backs coach Todd Bowles in Miami.

The Eagles have had a strong offseason, according to most analysts.

They have extended several of their own players, including running back LeSean McCoy, who agreed to a five-year, $45 million extension on Thursday.

The Eagles also retained free agents DeSean Jackson and Evan Mathis. They added a key piece in middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans and replaced injured left tackle Jason Peters with Demetress Bell.

And they had what many have deemed to be a strong draft. Safety, though, was seen as a position of need this offseason, and the Eagles have done little to improve the spot.

Bell is represented by agent Drew Rosenhaus, who negotiated the McCoy, Jackson, and Mathis deals.

Also Thursday, the Eagles signed undrafted rookie offensive lineman Alfred McCullough and released center Zane Taylor.