Since Drew Brees retired from football, the New Orleans Saints have struggled to replace the Hall of Famer. This has featured a brutal cast of Jameis Winston, Trevor Siemian, Ian Book, Andy Dalton, Taysom Hill, Derek Carr, and Spencer Rattler.
Some thought Rattler, a 2024 fifth round pick, could be the long-term answer. But after a 1-13 record in games he started, that idea shut down quickly.
Enter Tyler Shough, the 40th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Shough flew under the radar in the scouting process because of three season-ending injuries in college and already being 25 years old when he was drafted. But when given the opportunity to start halfway through his rookie year, he continued to impress and develop.
Now, is he the future of New Orleans football?
Shough’s December Win Streak Changed Everything
Shough saw his first real action in Week 8 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. From there, head coach Kellen Moore named Shough as the starter. His first start against the Los Angeles Rams resulted in a loss, 34-10. Shough struggled, and he looked like the next name on that list of failed quarterback projects.
Come December, the Saints went on a four-game win-streak, beating two division opponents, including the soon-to-be division champion Carolina Panthers. Shough threw for 1,057 yards, four touchdowns, one interception, and a 71% completion rate during that streak. He did that while getting sacked 13 times.
The second meeting against the Bucs is the one that sticks out. Tampa was fighting for the division, and the Saints walked out with a 24-20 victory. He threw for 144 yards and added two rushing touchdowns, including a 34-yard scramble.
Three weeks later in Nashville, the Titans had jumped to a 13-0 lead. In the second half, he went 13-of-17 for 251 YDs, finishing with 333 yards, two touchdowns, and a 34-26 win. He is just the third Saints quarterback to throw for 300 and complete 80% of his passes in a game, joining Brees and Jim Everett.
Shough Has a Case for the Best Quarterback in the NFC South
The Atlanta Falcons come to the Dome on Monday night. The Falcons have one of the most prolific skill position groups in the league, headlined by Bijan Robinson and Drake London. Against the Green Bay Packers last week, they dropped 35 points in Michael Penix‘s first game back since Week 11 of 2025. The Falcons feel they have some life.
Shough, meanwhile, has already thrown for at least 250 yards in all three starts and has eight passing touchdowns to just three interceptions. In Week 1 against the Detroit Lions, he threw for 410 yards and three touchdowns in a narrow overtime loss.
With running back Travis Etienne being put on the injured reserve, expect the Saints offense to become even more pass-heavy. Shough is second in passing yards through three weeks, and reaching that top spot is somewhat realistic.
The NFC South is wide open. Tampa is 0-3 and may have to start rookie Jalon Daniels for an extended period while Baker Mayfield deals with a fractured thumb. Carolina and Atlanta sit at 1-2.
New Orleans is right there with them. But unlike the rest of the division, the Saints can feel confident in their quarterback.
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