The Cowboys have taken one rising player off the market just hours before the free agency tampering period officially begins.

The club came to terms with safety Markquese Bell, it was announced late Sunday. The promising defensive back and special teams contributor will return to Dallas on a three-year deal worth up to $12 million.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler first reported the news.

Clarence Hill Jr. of All DLLS adds that Bell’s contract will include $6 million guaranteed along with a $2.5 million signing bonus and a shot to start.

As noted by Patrik Walker of the team website, “the Cowboys never had any plans of letting Bell leave” in free agency and would have actually had right of first refusal in regard to an offer from another team.

Bell, originally an undrafted free agent out of Florida A&M in 2022, played sparingly in his rookie season. In his second year, he was pressed into service as a linebacker in coordinator Dan Quinn’s unit after a rash of injuries but performed very well over 17 games, despite being out of position for most of the 2023 campaign.

He was moved back to safety last year by Mike Zimmer, but played most of his snaps on special teams… until he dislocated a shoulder in Week 11’s meeting with Houston and was lost for the remainder of the season.

The 26-year-old still needs to be medically cleared for a return to action, but Sunday’s deal ensures he’ll be wearing the star when that happens. Per Hill, he’ll be allowed to compete for a starting job for the upcoming season.

Bell is reportedly out of the country but will put pen to paper at The Star in Frisco on Tuesday.