Tyler Shough selling Saints on NFL Draft wide receiver Chris Bell

By Ross Jackson

It’s no mystery at all that the New Orleans Saints have been all-in on wide receivers during this year’s pre-draft process. As the Saints do their work preparing for the draft, it seems starting quarterback Tyler Shough is all-in on a specific pass-catcher that could help the team immensely if selected in 2026.

Louisville wide receiver Chris Bell was present at his program’s Pro Day on Tuesday. While he was not able to participate as he continues his post-surgical recovery from a late-season knee injury, he did speak with WHAS’s Sarandon Raboin about his draft process thus far.

During the discussion, Raboin asked if Bell has been keeping in contact with any of his former Louisville teammates. Bell’s response elucidated the relationship between him and Shough as well as another 2025 Saints draft selection, cornerback Quincy Riley. 

“When I went on my New Orleans visit, Tyler Shough and Quincy Riley were there,” Bell said. “(The Saints) brought them to the dinner and after the dinner we ended up going to Tyler’s house and just chilling and catching up. … (Shough) told me that he wants me so bad that he’s been pushing my name. So, hopefully, hopefully, hopefully I get there.”

This isn’t the first time that Bell has made it known that Shough has been pushing for a reunion. The explosive receiver made a similar comment during the NFL Scouting Combine. 

Louisville WR Chris Bell on his communications with former Cards QB/current Saints QB Tyler Shough pic.twitter.com/oHTJsDTp55

— Haley Schoengart (@HaleyPaige7) February 27, 2026

Shough and Bell enjoyed success together in the Louisville offense during their 2024 campaign. The two connected on 43 receptions for 737 receiving yards and four touchdown catches during that season. Bell’s 17.1 yards per catch with Shough was a career-best.

Bell also gained 7.2 yards after the catch per reception with Shough in 2024. That average fell to 5.2 without Shough last year. The metric suggests that Shough put Bell in position, with accurate passing, to do what he does best as a run after catch threat.

Whether or not the two will be reunited in New Orleans will be decided in just about a month’s time as Day 2 of the NFL Draft begins. Bell, who is a first-round talent, is expected to come off the board on the second day of the draft because of his injury recovery. However, his impressive timeline for return could bolster his stock and elevate him back to the bottom of the first. Bell is expected to be ready to take the field as early as training camp.

New Orleans’ best chance to land the receiving threat, should they want to get their quarterback his desired weapon, may necessitate a trade up from the second round or a hopeful fall to No. 42 overall.

Bell caught 72 passes last year for 917 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.