The Philadelphia Eagles have added a new face to their tight end room, signing Jaheim Bell off the open market after he was released from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad earlier this week.
Bell, 24, brings a unique skill set to Philly. At 6-foot-2 and 241 pounds, he’s not your prototypical tight end in terms of size-especially when you compare him to the likes of Darnell Washington, who towers at 6-foot-8 and tips the scales at over 300 pounds.
But what Bell lacks in bulk, he makes up for with athleticism and versatility. He clocked a 4.61-second 40-yard dash and posted a 35-inch vertical during pre-draft testing-numbers that helped him earn a solid Relative Athletic Score of 8.44 out of 10.
That athletic profile gives the Eagles a bit of a Swiss Army knife. Bell isn’t just a traditional inline tight end-he’s lined up in the slot, worked out of the backfield as a fullback, and contributed across multiple special teams units. That kind of flexibility is something offensive coordinators love to get creative with, especially in a system like Philly’s that thrives on mismatches and motion.
Bell’s NFL journey has already seen a few stops. He spent his rookie season with the New England Patriots, where he logged 84 offensive snaps across tight end, slot, and fullback roles.
He also played on all four phases of special teams-a sign of his willingness to do the dirty work. In total, he appeared in 15 games and notched two receptions for 20 yards.
Modest numbers, sure, but the tape shows a player who understands his role and executes with effort.
After another offseason in New England, Bell was released by the Patriots in August. He had a brief stint on the Eagles’ practice squad in October before being let go, and then landed with the Steelers, who had shown interest in him dating back to the pre-draft process.
Pittsburgh met with Bell at both the 2024 Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine, clearly intrigued by his potential. But with a crowded tight end room that includes Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, Connor Heyward, and Matt Sokol on the practice squad, there simply wasn’t a path to the active roster.
Now, Bell gets another shot in Philadelphia, where the tight end depth behind Dallas Goedert has been something of a revolving door. His athleticism, versatility, and special teams value could give him a real shot to stick this time around. And in an offense that values movement, creativity, and adaptability, Bell might just find the perfect fit.
It’s a low-risk move for the Eagles, but one that could pay dividends if Bell continues to develop. Keep an eye on him-he’s the kind of player who could quietly carve out a role and make an impact when it matters most.