Is Tyler Shough the Best Rookie QB of 2025? Mark Schlereth Thinks So - Here's Why That Might Not Be as Wild as It Sounds
When a three-time Super Bowl champion like Mark Schlereth talks quarterback play, it’s worth listening. Especially when that quarterback is a rookie still finding his footing in the NFL. Schlereth, who spent his career protecting legends like John Elway and Doug Williams, didn’t hold back when he recently shared his thoughts on New Orleans Saints rookie Tyler Shough.
“I think he’s the best quarterback in this draft class,” Schlereth said on his podcast, speaking with Mike Evans of 104.3 The FAN. “Great poise in the pocket, but unbelievable conviction. When he sees something, man, he lets it freaking eat.”
That’s high praise for a rookie who’s only started four games so far this season. But Schlereth’s not just throwing around compliments - he’s breaking down what he sees on tape. And one play in particular stuck with him.
“Second down and one (against the Dolphins), I think it was, he throws a dime piece to Chris Olave, and he dropped it,” Schlereth recalled. “Tough coverage, but I mean, it went through his hands... that wins that game for him, and he dropped it.”
So, how does Shough stack up against the rest of the 2025 quarterback class?
Let’s dig in.
The Stat Sheet Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story - But It Tells Some of It
If we’re going strictly by numbers, Shough isn’t leading the rookie pack. That title, at least for now, belongs to Jaxson Dart of the New York Giants. Dart has thrown for 1,556 yards and 11 touchdowns - both well ahead of Shough’s 1,068 yards and five scores.
But raw stats don’t always paint the full picture. Shough has only started four games this season.
Dart’s had seven starts, and Cam Ward of the Tennessee Titans has had 12. That’s a big difference in reps, rhythm, and opportunity.
Still, there are a few categories where Shough is holding his own - and even leading.
He’s currently ahead of Dart in completion percentage (65.2% to 63.6%), which suggests he’s making the most of his throws. He’s also thrown one more interception than Dart (four to three), but that’s still fewer than Ward, who leads all rookie QBs in picks with six.
Ward, for his part, has racked up more yards and touchdowns than Shough as well, but he’s also been more turnover-prone. The Titans’ rookie has shown flashes, but he’s also made more mistakes - something that tends to happen when you’re asked to do a lot early in your career.
Context Matters - And Shough’s Still Getting Started
It’s easy to get caught up in the stat lines, but those numbers don’t account for what’s happening on the field in real time. Shough’s sample size is small, but there’s something to be said for how he’s handled himself in those limited starts.
He’s shown poise in the pocket, a willingness to push the ball downfield, and - as Schlereth pointed out - a level of conviction that you don’t always see in rookie quarterbacks. He’s not playing scared. He’s playing with confidence.
That kind of mindset matters. Especially for a young quarterback trying to establish himself in a league that doesn’t wait around for development.
The Verdict? It’s Too Early to Crown Anyone - But Shough’s in the Mix
Right now, the numbers say Dart is having the best statistical season among rookie quarterbacks. Ward’s got the volume, but also the turnovers.
Shough? He’s somewhere in between - fewer starts, fewer mistakes, and flashes of real potential.
Schlereth’s praise might sound bold, but it’s not without merit. The tape shows a quarterback who’s growing into the role, showing signs of leadership, and making some big-time throws - even if they don’t all show up on the scoreboard.
The truth is, we won’t have a full picture until the season wraps. But if you’re a Saints fan, you’ve got reason to be intrigued. Tyler Shough might not be leading the rookie class statistically - yet - but he’s showing enough to believe that the best could still be ahead.
And if Schlereth’s right, we might be looking at a future star in the making.