Tyrann Mathieu isn’t just speaking as a former Saints safety or a Louisiana football icon-he’s speaking as someone who knows what it takes to win in the NFL. And after watching Tyler Shough lead the Saints to a gritty 24-20 win over the Buccaneers, Mathieu made it crystal clear: New Orleans should rally behind this young quarterback.
“The Saints should build everything around Tyler,” Mathieu posted Sunday. “He showed me something today!!!
His numbers won’t wow you, but it’s the critical situations in football that he’s winning! This city should absolutely get behind him and embrace him as QB for the next decade!!”
Strong words. But they came after a strong performance.
Shough, the Saints’ second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft (No. 40 overall), wasn’t perfect on Sunday-but he was fearless. The 6-foot-5 quarterback, whose draft stock was a mix of intrigue and concern thanks to his injury history and age (25 at the time of the draft), put his body on the line and delivered two clutch rushing touchdowns that ultimately made the difference.
The first came on a 34-yard burst that showed off his athleticism and vision. The second-a 13-yard touchdown run-was the dagger. That score sealed the upset over Tampa Bay, the NFC South’s front-runner, and gave Saints fans a glimpse of the kind of fire this young QB brings to the field.
This wasn’t a game about gaudy passing stats or highlight-reel throws. It was about grit.
About stepping up in the big moments. And that’s exactly what Shough did.
Mathieu doubled down on his support after the game, echoing sentiments he’s shared on his “In The Bayou With Tyrann Mathieu” podcast.
“Get him some more weapons and a good defense!” he posted. “[The] Saints aren’t far off from bouncing back and competing in this division!”
It’s not just lip service. Mathieu’s message hits on something deeper: the Saints may have found a spark in a season that’s lacked one.
Shough’s win over the Bucs was just his fifth career start-and only his seventh NFL appearance-but he’s already showing signs of being a gamer. He’s now 2-3 as a starter, stepping in for Spencer Rattler, who went 1-13 in his stint as New Orleans’ QB1.
Sure, the Saints were officially eliminated from playoff contention after their Week 13 loss to Miami. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing left to build on. Shough’s performance against a division leader, in a pressure-packed moment, is the kind of thing that can shift a locker room’s energy-and a franchise’s direction.
The Saints have decisions to make this offseason. But if Tyrann Mathieu’s voice carries weight-and it should-then Tyler Shough just made a compelling case to be part of New Orleans’ future.
Not just as a stopgap. Not just as a developmental project.
As the guy.