The Cincinnati Bengals signed former Saints second-round pick Isaiah Foskey to their practice squad on Tuesday. The move puts him back under the tutelage of one of his college coaches at Notre Dame. Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden coached Foskey with the Fighting Irish, and “now they’re reunited in Cincinnati,” NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported.
From High Hopes to Empty Returns
The Saints drafted Foskey 40th overall in 2023, expecting a disruptive pass rusher. At Notre Dame, he delivered 22 sacks across his final two seasons. Analyst Lance Zierlein once called him a “forward-charging edge defender whose best football could be ahead of him.” But Zierlein also warned that “he lacks anchor as an edge-setter.”
Saints Fans Left Frustrated
In New Orleans, that potential never translated. Over two seasons, he posted 25 tackles and zero sacks in 27 games. His release this August confirmed what many already knew: the Saints had swung and missed again in Round Two. Rashad Milligan of The Times-Picayune called the cut “no surprise,” citing his failure to pressure quarterbacks or set the edge.
The frustration was heightened because New Orleans entered the 2023 draft searching for immediate help on defense. Foskey was supposed to pair with Cameron Jordan and provide a long-term replacement plan. Instead, his inconsistency created a depth problem that the Saints have yet to fully solve.
The miss also revived old frustrations about the team’s recent draft history, which includes multiple defensive selections that never developed as hoped.
Golden’s Familiar Hand
The Bengals beat out the Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears to land him after workouts with both teams. For Cincinnati, the signing is low risk. He joins a defensive end group headlined by Trey Hendrickson and Myles Murphy, with a chance to prove himself.
Golden’s presence is key. He knows how to reach the player and understands his flaws better than most. As SI.com’s James Rapien noted, “the Bengals see this as a reclamation project, not a finished product.”
The Bigger Picture for New Orleans
For Saints fans, this isn’t just about another team taking a chance. It’s about watching a second-round investment evaporate. New Orleans gambled on upside, and two years later, all that’s left is disappointment.
The cut also left the Saints thin behind Cameron Jordan and Carl Granderson. Foskey’s failure forced New Orleans to rely more heavily on unproven depth, raising questions about the defensive line’s long-term stability.
The Bengals are betting on a fresh start. The Saints are left with another scar on their draft record. Whether this story becomes a comeback tale or just another footnote depends on what happens in Cincinnati.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Saints Draft Miss Finds New Home with Cincinnati Bengals appeared first on Heavy Sports.