Cowboys S Markquese Bell facing felony drug charge

Bell arrested in Dallas suburb on possession of controlled substance, marijuana

Apr. 11, 2026 at 8:35pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up of a small plastic bag containing a white powdery substance, dramatically lit by a harsh camera flash against a dark background, conceptually representing the drug charges faced by the Cowboys player.A recent arrest of a Dallas Cowboys player on drug charges raises concerns about off-field discipline within the NFL team.Dallas Today

Cowboys safety Markquese Bell was arrested in Prosper, Texas, on a felony count of possession of a controlled substance and a misdemeanor count of marijuana possession. Bell, who signed a three-year contract extension worth up to $12 million in March 2025, faces a possible league suspension after the arrest.

Why it matters

This arrest could have significant implications for the Cowboys' secondary, as Bell was expected to compete for a larger role this season after playing in all 17 games last year with three starts. The team has not yet commented on the situation.

The details

According to the Collin County Sheriff's Office, Bell was arrested in Prosper, Texas, on the drug charges. Further details of the arrest were not immediately available. Bell, an undrafted player out of Florida A&M in 2022, has recorded 142 tackles, seven passes defensed and three forced fumbles in 48 career games (11 starts) for the Cowboys.

  • Bell was arrested on Friday, April 11, 2026.

The players

Markquese Bell

A 27-year-old safety for the Dallas Cowboys who was arrested on drug charges in a Dallas suburb.

Dallas Cowboys

The NFL team that Markquese Bell plays for, who have not yet commented on his arrest.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The Cowboys are expected to address Bell's arrest and the potential implications for the team's secondary in the coming days.

The takeaway

This arrest raises concerns about Bell's future with the Cowboys and the team's depth at the safety position, especially as he was expected to have an increased role this season.