Saints’ Tyler Shough Named NFL Rookie of the Year After Breakout Season
The New Orleans Saints might have found their quarterback of the future-and the fans are taking notice. Tyler Shough has been named the Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Year, a fan-voted honor that caps off an impressive debut season for the 6-foot-5 signal-caller out of Louisville.
This marks just the fourth time in franchise history a Saint has earned the award, putting Shough in elite company alongside George Rogers, Rueben Mayes, and Alvin Kamara. That’s not just a who's who of Saints rookies-that's a lineage of players who made an immediate impact on the league.
“I am truly humbled and honored to be chosen for this award,” Shough said. “This wouldn't be possible without all of my teammates and coaches giving everything they had each and every week to help us win.”
And win they did-at least when Shough was under center. Thrust into the starting role midway through the season, the rookie didn’t just keep the offense afloat-he elevated it.
In 11 games, including nine starts, Shough completed 221 of 327 passes, good for a 67.6% completion rate, piling up 2,384 passing yards along the way. His 91.3 passer rating was solid, but where he really separated himself was on third down.
In those pressure-packed moments, Shough posted a league-best 103.3 passer rating-a stat that speaks volumes about his poise and decision-making under fire.
That kind of efficiency on money downs is rare for a rookie, and it’s a big reason why he didn’t just earn this fan-voted honor. Shough was also named to the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) All-Rookie Team, and he took home NFL Rookie of the Month honors for December and January-a stretch where he looked more like a seasoned vet than a first-year player.
And he’s not done yet. Shough is also a finalist for the Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, which will be announced at the NFL Honors ceremony. Whether he wins that or not, his résumé already stacks up with the best of this year’s rookie class.
For a Saints team that came into the season with questions at quarterback, Shough provided answers-and then some. He didn’t just fill a role; he gave the franchise and its fans something to believe in. And now, with a trophy in hand and more accolades possibly on the way, it’s clear: Tyler Shough has arrived.