Tyler Shough might’ve entered the season as a long shot, but after a string of strong performances under center for the New Orleans Saints, he’s officially on the radar - and the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds are starting to reflect it.
Let’s talk about the leap. Just a few weeks ago, Shough’s name barely registered in the awards conversation.
His odds to win OROY? A jaw-dropping 250-to-1 - the kind of number that implies you’ve got about as much chance of taking home the trophy as a practice squad player.
But after Sunday’s 272-yard outing in a gritty 20-17 win over the Carolina Panthers in the Superdome, those odds have shifted dramatically.
Now? He’s sitting at 18-to-1 on FanDuel, 22-to-1 at Caesars, and 25-to-1 on both DraftKings and BetMGM. It’s still a long climb to the top, but that’s a tenfold improvement - and it tells us the league is starting to take notice of what Shough is doing in New Orleans.
To be clear, he’s not the frontrunner. That title currently belongs to New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson, who leads the pack with +190 odds at FanDuel.
Behind him are a handful of other rookies making noise: Panthers wideout Tetairoa McMillan (+270), Bucs receiver Emeka Egbuka (+310), Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (+430), and Colts tight end Tyler Warren (+2200). But Shough, a second-round pick who didn’t even see meaningful action until late October, is now firmly in the mix.
And that’s where the story gets interesting.
Shough didn’t throw his first significant NFL pass until the second half of a Week 8 game against the Buccaneers on October 26. He didn’t get his first start until the following week against the Rams.
Since then? He’s gone from backup to potential franchise spark plug.
In that span, he’s led the Saints to three wins in five games, including a season sweep of the Panthers and a road win in Tampa. He’s completed 66.7% of his passes for 1,484 yards, six touchdowns, and five interceptions - solid numbers for any rookie QB, especially one who was thrust into the spotlight midseason. Add in 138 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground, and you’ve got a dual-threat quarterback who’s finding his rhythm in real time.
This isn’t just about stats, though. It’s about timing, trajectory, and impact.
Shough’s emergence has added life to a Saints team that’s been searching for offensive consistency all season. He’s making plays, extending drives, and showing poise that belies his experience level.
And the fact that he’s doing it under the pressure of a playoff race only adds to the intrigue.
Historically, the Saints have had their share of Rookie of the Year winners. Alvin Kamara and Marshon Lattimore pulled off the rare offensive/defensive sweep in 2017.
Before them, it was George Rogers in 1981 and Reuben Mayes in 1986. Shough’s not there yet - but he’s at least entered the conversation.
With a few more strong performances and maybe a signature win down the stretch, don’t be surprised if his name climbs even higher on those odds boards. Because right now, Tyler Shough is doing what every rookie dreams of: turning opportunity into momentum, and momentum into something bigger.