Pre-draft Bell was projected to be a fifth round draft pick. He was ranked the ninth best tight end prospect in the draft by NFLDraftScout.com.
San Francisco 49ers 2015 Bell was selected by the
San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round (117th overall) of the
2015 NFL draft. He was the fifth tight end chosen in 2015. On May 11, 2015, the 49ers signed him to a four-year, $2.78 million contract that includes a
signing bonus of $505,132. Throughout
training camp, Bell faced stiff competition for a roster spot against
Vance McDonald,
Garrett Celek,
Xavier Grimble,
Derek Carrier,
Asante Cleveland, and
Rory Anderson. Head coach
Jim Tomsula named him the fourth tight end on the depth chart to begin his rookie season, behind
Vernon Davis, Vance McDonald, and Garrett Celek. He made his professional regular season debut in the 49ers' season-opening 20–3 victory over the
Minnesota Vikings. The following week, he made his first career reception off a four-yard pass by quarterback
Colin Kaepernick during the third quarter of a 43–18 loss to the
Pittsburgh Steelers. On October 11, 2015, he earned his first career start after Davis was inactive due to a knee injury. Bell finished the 30–27 loss at the
New York Giants with one reception for six yards. He was a healthy scratch in Weeks 7–8. On November 29, 2015, Bell caught three passes for a season-high 67 yards during a 19–13 loss to the
Arizona Cardinals. He saw increased snaps in the Cardinals game after Garrett Celek left the game due to an ankle injury. The next week, he had a season-high four receptions for 43 yards during a 24–14 loss to the
Cincinnati Bengals. He finished his only season under offensive coordinator
Geep Chryst with a total of 15 receptions for 186 receiving yards.
2016 Bell competed to maintain a roster spot under new head coach
Chip Kelly, competing against
Garrett Celek,
Bruce Miller,
Rory Anderson, and
Je'Ron Hamm. He was named the second tight end on the 49ers' depth chart behind
Vance McDonald. On December 18, 2016, Bell caught one reception for a season-high 45 yards during a 41–13 loss at the
Atlanta Falcons. Unfortunately, he left the first half of the game after suffering a shoulder injury and was placed on
injured reserve the following day. He finished the season with only four receptions for 85 receiving yards in 13 games.
2017 Bell contended for a roster spot under new head coach
Kyle Shanahan, going up against
George Kittle,
Logan Paulsen, and
Cole Hikutini. On September 2, 2017, the San Francisco 49ers waived Bell.
Minnesota Vikings On September 3, 2017, Bell was claimed off waivers by the Vikings. He began the season as the third tight end on the roster, behind
Kyle Rudolph and
David Morgan II. Bell made his Vikings' debut in their season-opening 29–19 victory over the
New Orleans Saints. On October 1, 2017, he earned his first start with the Vikings and caught a 12-yard pass from quarterback
Case Keenum during Minnesota's 14–7 loss to the
Detroit Lions. On December 15, 2017, the Minnesota Vikings placed Bell on injured/reserve after he suffered a shoulder injury. On September 1, 2018, Bell was waived by the Vikings.
Jacksonville Jaguars On October 16, 2018, he signed with the
Jacksonville Jaguars. He appeared in 10 games (4 starts), tallying 8 receptions for 67 yards.
Kansas City Chiefs (first stint) On April 2, 2019, Bell signed with the
Kansas City Chiefs. Bell scored his first NFL touchdown on January 12, 2020, with an eight-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter of Kansas City's AFC Divisional Playoff win over the
Houston Texans. The Chiefs advanced to
Super Bowl LIV where they defeated Bell's former team the 49ers 31–20. Bell caught one pass for nine yards in the Super Bowl.
Dallas Cowboys On April 7, 2020, Bell was signed as a
free agent by the
Dallas Cowboys, to take over the blocking
tight end role that
Jason Witten had the previous season. After starter
Blake Jarwin was lost for the year with an ACL injury suffered in the season opener against the
Los Angeles Rams, Bell became the backup tight end behind
Dalton Schultz. He appeared in 16 games, making 11 receptions for 110 yards and no touchdowns. He started the seventh and eighth game, when the Cowboys employed a two tight end formation to provide extra passing protection.
Kansas City Chiefs (second stint) On March 18, 2021, Bell signed with the Chiefs. He was put on the Reserve/COVID-19 list on December 21, 2021. He was activated off the Reserve/COVID-19 list on December 24, 2021. Bell re-signed with the Chiefs on March 24, 2022, to a one-year deal. Bell was placed on injured reserve on September 5, 2022. He was activated on December 23. In the 2022 season, Bell recorded his first career receiving touchdown in the regular season in the Chiefs' Week 17 game against the
Denver Broncos. Bell won his second Super Bowl when the Chiefs defeated the Eagles 38–35 in
Super Bowl LVII. In the 2023 season, Bell won his third Super Bowl championship when the Chiefs defeated the 49ers 25–22 in
Super Bowl LVIII. ==Personal life==