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.