Michigan State CB signs first pro contract after Browns minicamp appearance

A former Michigan State cornerback has just signed his first pro football contract after appearing at Cleveland Browns minicamp last week.

Following his minicamp performance with the Browns, Malcolm Bell was not signed to an undrafted free agent contract like his fellow Spartan rookie Wayne Matthews III with the Chicago Bears. Although I believe he has at least NFL practice squad talent, Bell decided to take advantage of another pro opportunity.

Even though he was fighting for an NFL contract, Bell had a perfect opportunity waiting back home for him in Canada. He was a first-round pick by the Saskatchewan Roughriders shortly after the NFL draft and because he left minicamp without a contract, his decision became easier.

Bell signed his first pro football contract with the Roughriders on Wednesday.

The Roughriders picked Bell in the hopes that he would choose a roster spot in the CFL over a potential practice squad spot in the NFL. Following the minicamp appearance and no offer from Cleveland, Bell gave the Roughriders the news that they were hoping for.

Saskatchewan just got itself one of the more overlooked undrafted defensive backs from the 2026 NFL Draft class and I could see Bell having a ton of success up north.

Maybe the NFL should add a Canadian team in Toronto and it gets dibs on the top players from the CFL. That would be an idea that I could get behind and it could bring someone like Bell to the NFL, but that probably isn’t happening any time soon.

The last Spartan who starred in the CFL was BJ Cunningham. He had over 3,400 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns over five seasons.

It’s Bell’s turn to become a star in Canada.

Recapping Malcolm Bell’s Michigan State career

Bell began his career at UConn where he redshirted as a freshman and then played in 33 games over the next three seasons with the Huskies. He had 93 total tackles, four tackles for loss, and 13 pass breakups. He then transferred to Michigan State where he played really well in his one season with the Spartans.

The UConn transfer became a starter and had a career-high 49 tackles with five tackles for loss, his first career sack, and six pass breakups. He was one of the Spartans’ top defenders.

A later bloomer, Bell went undrafted and probably would have improved his stock tenfold if he were to come back under Pat Fitzgerald and this defensive-minded staff. Unfortunately, the Browns didn’t give him a shot, so he’s heading back home to Canada to play for the Roughriders.

I still wouldn’t say the door is closed on his NFL aspirations.

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