Tyler Shough’s rookie season in New Orleans has been anything but quiet - and that’s exactly how the Saints like it. The young quarterback isn’t just making moves on the field, he’s also building chemistry in the locker room and relationships throughout the organization. From sitting down with veterans like Cameron Jordan to connecting with Saints legends like Terron Armstead, Shough is showing that he’s not just here to play - he’s here to lead.
His latest appearance came on In the Bayou, the podcast hosted by Tyrann Mathieu and Tyrell McCall, where Shough opened up about his first year in the NFL and shared one of the more lighthearted moments of his rookie campaign: his Halloween costume tribute to Saints owner Gayle Benson.
Let’s set the scene. During the team’s rookie Halloween costume contest, linebacker Danny Stutsman showed up as the orange-suited villain from Despicable Me, and quarterback Hunter Dekkers went full retro in Jackie Moon’s Semi-Pro getup.
But it was Shough who stole the show - and the owner's heart - dressed head-to-toe as Gayle Benson herself. Wig, gold blazer, black dress, pearl necklace, matching earrings - he went all in.
“I had to find size triple-XL everything. It was actually great, she loved it,” Shough said on the podcast.
“She texted me about it multiple times. It was like her favorite thing.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. It just goes back to, don’t take yourself too seriously, we’re having fun.”
That moment wasn’t just about laughs - it was a glimpse into the culture Shough is helping shape in New Orleans. He’s not just blending in; he’s becoming a key part of the team’s identity.
And it’s clear that support runs all the way to the top. A few months after that costume contest, Shough had been named the starting quarterback and rattled off back-to-back wins.
At a charity event, Gayle Benson didn’t hold back when asked about her young signal-caller: “I love the quarterback. He is great.
He’s awesome.”
That kind of endorsement from ownership isn’t just a nice quote - it matters. It creates stability.
It builds trust. And it sends a clear message to the rest of the organization: this is our guy.
Now, with free agency on the horizon, the Saints have an opportunity to build around Shough and give him the tools he needs to take the next step. Benson’s support might not show up on a stat sheet, but it could make all the difference when it comes time to invest in the roster this spring.
For now, Shough continues to navigate his rookie year with poise, personality, and a growing presence both inside and outside the locker room. If the early signs are any indication, the Saints may have found more than just a quarterback - they’ve found a leader.