The New Orleans Saints ended the 2026 preseason on a high note, defeating the Dallas Cowboys 27-24 on Friday.
This week’s breakout player had an eye-opening performance, though it ultimately wasn’t enough to save him from the chopping block: WR Ronnie Bell.
Bell was released by the Saints on Saturday as the team begins trimming its roster down to 53 players. While that news is undoubtedly disappointing for the former seventh-round pick, his performance in the victory over the Dallas Cowboys was still
worth highlighting and could ultimately earn him a spot on the practice squad.
Bell finished the game with six receptions on seven targets for 65 yards, including a long of 23 yards. More importantly, he consistently moved the chains, recording four first-down conversions while also recording a contested catch. The 26-year-old posted a team-high 91.7 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, along with a 91.4 receiving grade.
That makes his release a little more notable. Bell was competing for a roster spot in a crowded Saints receiver room, and while his performance against Dallas gave him a strong finish to the preseason, the Saints ultimately went in another direction.
Still, Bell put some quality film on tape. Cuts like this don’t necessarily mean a player’s chances with the team are over, but the timing is certainly unfortunate.
Now, he’ll have to wait for the next opportunity to prove it again.
