The Philadelphia Eagles now have all eight members of the 2026 draft class under contract before training camp after inking Markel Bell. The third-round pick has signed his rookie deal with Philadelphia, according to Tom Pelissero, who reported the agreement through Bell’s agents, Marlon Moore, Trey Robinson, and Connor Mullins of AthEliteAgency. The move gets the rookie offensive tackle officially settled before one of the most important development stretches of his first NFL season.
Bell was selected by the Eagles with the No. 68 overall pick in the third round of the 2026 NFL draft after a college career that included stops at Holmes Community College and Miami. He played in 12 games and made five starts for the Hurricanes in 2024 before becoming Miami’s full-time starting left tackle in 2025, giving Philadelphia a massive developmental tackle with starting experience at a major college program.
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The Eagles have long prioritized offensive line depth, and Bell fits the organizational profile. At 6-foot-9 and more than 340 pounds, he brings rare size to a position group still led by Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson. Philadelphia does not need Bell to become an immediate starter, but the franchise has consistently invested in young linemen with traits, length, and developmental upside.
His signing also allows Bell to enter camp without contract uncertainty. That matters for a rookie tackle who will need every rep he can get under offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland. Bell’s early work will likely center on refining his hand placement, pad level, and footwork while adjusting to NFL pass rushers, who will test his ability to handle speed, counters, and leverage despite his size advantage.
Bell also gives the Eagles another option behind their established starters. Johnson’s return from injury, Mailata’s continued dominance, and the health of Cam Jurgens and Landon Dickerson will shape the offensive line outlook, but Bell’s development could become important beyond 2026. Philadelphia has built one of the NFL’s best offensive lines by planning ahead, and Bell represents another long-term investment in that approach.
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The rookie tackle already saw valuable offseason work with the second-team offensive line, giving the Eagles an early look at how he handles the speed and complexity of the professional game. Training camp will raise the intensity, especially once pads come on, and one-on-one pass-rush drills begin.
Bell may not be counted on to start right away, but his physical tools make him one of the more intriguing rookies on the roster. With his contract completed, the next step is simple: stay healthy, stack reps, and begin proving he can become part of the Eagles’ offensive line future.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Markel Bell signs his rookie deal as Eagles training camp approaches
