Tyler Shough isn’t lighting up the box score, but he’s doing something that matters a whole lot more in the NFL: he’s winning games. And for a New Orleans Saints team that’s been searching for stability under center, that’s worth paying attention to.
In Sunday’s win over the Buccaneers, Shough didn’t put on a passing clinic - in fact, his aerial numbers were modest, and he did throw an interception. But what stood out was his poise under pressure and his ability to make plays when things broke down. He used his legs to punch in two rushing touchdowns, the first of his young career, and showed the kind of improvisational spark that can energize an offense.
That’s now two wins in five starts for the rookie quarterback, and while that’s hardly a definitive sample, it’s enough to get the Saints thinking. Shough has looked composed, confident, and maybe most importantly, unshaken by the moment. For a team that’s been through its fair share of quarterback uncertainty in recent years, that kind of demeanor can’t be overlooked.
Let’s be clear: it’s too early to hand Shough the keys to the franchise. The Saints will have to do their due diligence this offseason - whether that’s in the draft, free agency, or continuing to develop the rookie.
But this feels a bit different than other late-season rookie auditions we’ve seen in recent years. Think back to Desmond Ridder’s four-game stretch with the Falcons in 2022 - solid, but unspectacular, and ultimately followed by a quarterback battle the next season.
Shough, on the other hand, is showing flashes that suggest there might be something more to build on.
Even with a 2-2 record over their last four games, the Saints are trending in a positive direction. They’ve got a favorable schedule ahead, with just one game remaining against a team currently above .500. If Shough continues to grow and the team keeps playing hard under first-year head coach Kellen Moore, this could be a group that finishes stronger than anyone expected.
There’s no sugarcoating it - the Saints still have plenty of holes to patch on both sides of the ball. But what’s encouraging is how they’re competing.
This isn’t a team mailing it in. This is a team fighting, and a rookie quarterback who’s finding ways to contribute - even when the stat sheet doesn’t tell the full story.
Shough’s late-season surge might complicate things come draft time. A few more wins could push New Orleans out of range for one of the top quarterback prospects in 2026. But if Shough continues to show growth and command, maybe - just maybe - they won’t need to go shopping for a new QB after all.
It’s still early. But for now, Tyler Shough is giving the Saints something they haven’t had in a while: a reason to believe.