Tyler Shough is starting to make some real noise in New Orleans - and not just with his arm.
On Sunday, the Saints rookie quarterback orchestrated a 97-yard scoring drive that ended with a perfectly placed 23-yard touchdown pass to Chris Olave. That throw didn’t just put points on the board - it also put Shough in the Saints’ record books. With that toss, he broke Archie Manning’s long-standing rookie record for touchdown passes in a season.
Let’s pause there for a second. Archie Manning’s rookie mark had stood for decades, a relic from a different era of Saints football.
For Shough to surpass it - in just seven starts - is more than just a stat. It’s a statement.
And this isn’t a one-off. Just last week, Shough passed both Manning and fellow rookie Spencer Rattler for the most passing yards in a Saints rookie season.
Now he holds the yardage and touchdown records. That’s a pretty strong résumé for a guy who wasn’t even guaranteed the starting job when the season began.
Seven touchdown passes in seven starts might not scream “franchise quarterback” at first glance, but context matters. Shough has been steady, efficient, and increasingly confident as the weeks have gone on. He’s not just managing games - he’s starting to shape them.
And while some might argue this says as much about the Saints’ rocky history at quarterback since the Manning era as it does about Shough’s performance, let’s give credit where it’s due. Records don’t break themselves. Shough has stepped into a tough situation, taken the reins of a team in transition, and delivered meaningful progress.
Inside the Saints’ locker room, that kind of growth matters. It’s not just about the numbers - it’s about building something sustainable. Shough’s ability to move the offense, connect with playmakers like Olave, and stay poised under pressure is helping lay the foundation for what the Saints hope will be a new era of stability at quarterback.
Looking ahead, all signs point to Shough being the guy in 2026. Performances like this - and the milestones that come with them - are only going to strengthen that case.
The Saints may have found something here. And if Shough keeps trending upward, the rest of the NFC South should take notice.