Tyler Shough making early case for Saints QB job despite familiar flaw

The New Orleans Saints knew before everyone else that Derek Carr’s career had likely come to an end this offseason. The unfortunate reality of Carr’s shoulder injury drove New Orleans to draft Tyler Shough in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft after his lone season at Louisville and thrust him into a wide-open quarterback competition. 

With NFL training camp finally underway, that QB battle between Shough, Spencer Rattler, and Jake Haener has heated up. So far, the on-field results have been mixed for the former Cardinal, who spent seven seasons in college football, but a recent report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport indicates that the franchise is happy with everything else that the 25-year-old brings to the table. 

Tyler Shough needs more than off-field maturity to win starting job

Rapoport’s report is a good sign for Shough, who, because of his advanced age, was expected to be one of the most finished products of the 2025 NFL quarterback class. However, according to Rapoport, the Saints and first-year head coach Kellen Moore are waiting for the right quarterback to emerge throughout training camp, so Shough will need to do more than just handle his business off the field like a seasoned veteran. 

On Monday, reporters were encouraged by Shough’s performance, including an impressive throw to veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks during 11-on-11. Building a rapport with Cooks could be crucial for Shough to win the starting job, especially considering the recent injury issues that New Orleans’ top receiver, Chris Olave, has dealt with in recent years. 

On this play in particular, Shough does an excellent job keeping his eyes downfield while navigating a muddy pocket before delivering the accurate throw. Thanks to his year with Jeff Brohm in Louisville, Shough has experience with under-center play-action, a rarity for most young quarterbacks as they enter the NFL. 

Monday appeared to be a step in the right direction for Shough after an ugly throw went viral over the weekend.

Still, the biggest issue with Shough’s game last season has persisted into his early NFL career. Much of Shough’s early collegiate career was derailed by injuries, so last season it was clear that he avoided taking hits at all costs. He struggled under pressure as a result. He’s brought those bad habits with him to New Orleans. 

This throw, a high miss over the middle, is the perfect recipe for an interception, and the pressure is what caused it. As the defensive line gets a push, Shough falls away to his left instead of standing in and delivering a strike to Rashid Shaheed. That is a throw you have to make in the NFL and a hit you have to be willing to take. 

Shough’s off-field maturity will go a long way, and with two former late-round picks competing for starting reps, it could win him the starting job. However, the Shough’s long-term viability in the league will be determined by his willingness to stand in the pocket and deliver throws under pressure. Until that aspect of his game improves, expectations should be tempered.