Tyler Shough Is Turning Heads - And Turning Around the Saints’ Season
Don’t look now, but Tyler Shough is putting together one of the most compelling late-season stories in the NFL. The former Louisville quarterback, now the starter for the New Orleans Saints, has done more than just steady the ship - he’s sparked a full-blown resurgence in the Big Easy.
Since taking over the starting job from Kellen Moore, Shough has led the Saints to five wins, including four in a row, capped by a 34-26 victory over the Tennessee Titans this past weekend. And make no mistake: this isn’t just a feel-good story.
Shough is firmly in the thick of the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year race - and he’s not just hanging around. He’s threatening to take it.
From the Basement to the Hunt
When Shough stepped in, the Saints were in a tailspin. They were 1-7 with Spencer Rattler under center, losers of three straight, and searching for answers. Shough got his first real action in the second half of a blowout loss to the Buccaneers - and from that point on, it’s been his team.
Since officially taking over, Shough has gone 5-3 as a starter, and the Saints have looked like a completely different squad. The offense has rhythm.
The locker room has energy. And the fans?
They’ve got hope.
Rookie of the Year Watch: It’s a Two-Horse Race
Shough’s late-season surge has put him right in the thick of the Rookie of the Year conversation. His odds have climbed to +105, trailing only Panthers wideout Tetairoa McMillan, who currently sits at -105.
Everyone else? Not even close.
This is shaping up to be a photo finish between two breakout rookies - one lighting it up through the air, the other hauling it in.
But what gives Shough a real shot is the weight of what he’s doing. He hasn’t just produced stats - he’s changed the trajectory of a franchise. That counts for something.
Breaking Down the Numbers
Let’s talk production, because Shough’s recent stretch has been nothing short of elite.
Last 3 games:
- Completions/Attempts: 78-for-108
- Completion Rate: 72.2%
- Passing Yards: 913
- Touchdowns: 4
- Interceptions: 0
- Passer Rating: 109.8
- Record: 3-0
That’s not just efficient - it’s surgical. He’s protecting the football, moving the chains, and showing poise well beyond his years.
In the Saints’ win over the Titans, Shough was nearly flawless, completing 81.5% of his passes for 333 yards and two scores. It was his second 300-yard performance in as many weeks, and it came in a game where the Saints needed every bit of it.
More Than Just a Hot Streak
Zooming out, Shough’s full body of work since becoming the starter paints the picture of a quarterback who’s not just riding a wave - he’s building something.
- Completion Percentage: 69%
- Passing Yards: 1,997
- Passing Touchdowns: 9
- Rushing Yards: 152
- Rushing Touchdowns: 2
He’s been dynamic, efficient, and - perhaps most impressively - mistake-free. The zero in the interception column over the last three games is no small feat, especially for a rookie quarterback in high-pressure situations.
A Franchise Quarterback in the Making?
The buzz is growing, and it’s not just local. Around the league, Shough is being talked about as a potential long-term answer for the Saints - a franchise quarterback in every sense of the word.
It’s early, sure, but the signs are there. The command of the offense.
The accuracy. The leadership.
The results.
If he keeps this up, Shough could become the first Saint to win Rookie of the Year since Alvin Kamara and Marshon Lattimore pulled it off in tandem back in 2017. For Louisville fans, it would mark the first ROY winner from the program since Teddy Bridgewater in 2014.
We’ll find out in February, just before Super Bowl LX, whether Shough takes home the hardware. But even if he doesn’t, one thing’s already clear: New Orleans has found something special - and the rest of the league is starting to take notice.