Louisville football finished last season 9-4 for the second straight year, going 8-4 in both 2024 and 2025 and winning bowl games in both years, improving their record to 9-4 on the season. Louisville has had some elite players suit up for the red and black in the past two seasons, but one of the best was Chris Bell.
The star wide receiver took a leap every season in his four years with Louisville, but really emerged as a star the last two seasons. Bell went on to dominate last year with Louisville and was trending toward a first-round pick, but after he suffered a torn ACL against SMU, he is now trending toward a second-round pick.
With Bell falling in the draft because of the injury, he made it clear he is open to the idea of teaming up with his former quarterback, Tyler Shough, and playing for the New Orleans Saints.
Chris Bell and Tyler Shough reunion feels very real after recent comments
Bell is at the 2026 NFL Combine right now, and yesterday the former Cardinal was available to the media for questions. Bell was asked about teaming up with Shough, and Louisville fans will smile ear to ear after hearing his response.
“Man, it would be great,” Bell stated on playing with Shough in the NFL. “I been talking to Tyler Shough since this process started. He said he been telling the Saints about me. He said they need somebody like me. So, it would be great reunite with Tyler Shough.”
Bell and Shough played together in the 2024 season when Shough transferred to Louisville for his final season from Texas Tech. Shough threw for 3,195 passing yards while completing 62.5 percent of his passes. With Shough elevating the Cardinals' passing game, Bell saw his production soar as he earned 43 catches for 737 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
Bell finished his Louisville career in the top 15 in catches and receiving yards in program history as he secured 151 receptions for 2,166 receiving yards after his senior season, collecting 72 catches for 917 yards and six touchdowns.
The Saints do need a player like Bell as they struggled on offense last season, but Shough was a massive spark for Kellen Moore. The former Cardinal was a Rookie of the Year finalist after throwing for 2,384 passing yards and completing 67.6 percent of his passes. Shough threw 10 touchdowns, while also rushing for 186 yards and three touchdowns.
The Cardinals fans would love to see these two former Cards reunite in the NFL. Louisville fans have shown loads of support for Shough since he got the nod to start for the Saints last season, and if New Orleans adds Bell to its offense, it is safe to say they will get a lot more Louisville fans watching their games.
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