Lou Anarumo — of course — was first to call Vonn Bell in free agency

Cincinnati Bengals safety Vonn Bell has made it clear he’s back to wrap up some unfinished business.

As fun as the move is for both parties and fans, it was a predictable one — Bell always felt like the one who got away that wasn’t supposed to and it showed on the field last year.

Also predictable? The guy who called Bell first after his release from the Carolina Panthers.

Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, of course.

“Thay’s my guy, man. We have a connection and a bond that will last forever,” Bell said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “Just hearing his voice made me calm down.”

Anarumo’s opening line to Bell is hilarious, too, as captured by WLWT’s Olivia Ray:

First person to give Vonn Bell a call during this free agency process?

“Lou. He said, ‘What we doing’.”

Bell went on to say that Anarumo, “that’s my guy. There’s a bond there, a connection that can’t be broken.” #Bengals | @WLWT pic.twitter.com/Bom8bjy6pl

— Olivia Ray (@OliviaRayTV) March 15, 2024

What they’re doing is getting back a veteran safety who can help a young secondary that struggled with communication breakdowns that led to more explosives allowed than any defense last season.

And what they’re doing is getting a bonus compensatory draft pick while the Panthers pay Bell to play in Cincinnati next season, too.