Tyler Shough’s path to becoming the Saints’ 2026 starter

By Ross Jackson

NEW ORLEANS, La. – After being named the starting quarterback for the New Orleans Saints against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 9, rookie passer Tyler Shough is sure to be focused on his first game and the major opportunity it presents. 

Although the rookie’s focus will have to remain a “one week at a time” approach, it isn’t hard to look beyond the first game and see what it is that the second-round pick will need to accomplish in order to lock down a chance to be the team’s starter in 2026. 

Shough’s remaining opponents include a slew of beatable teams and winnable games. That’s a lofty statement to make about a 1-7 team, but the Saints will face two other teams that are currently 1-7, another that is 2-6 and face a string of divisional opponents.

The passer can prove something by leading an offense good enough to topple the other teams in contention for the NFL’s No. 1 overall selection. 

Not only can he help to solidify his shot at the job for 2026 by making the team disinterested in replacing him by winning, but he could also negate the Saints of the opportunity and resources to draft a player highly to compete with him next year. It all comes down to beating a trio of teams: the Miami Dolphins (2-6), New York Jets (1-7) and Tennessee Titans (1-7).

Remaining Saints 2025 Opponents

Week 9 – at Los Angeles Rams (5-2)

Week 10 – at Carolina Panther (4-4)

Week 11 – Bye Week

Week 12 – vs. Atlanta Falcons (3-4)

Week 13 – at Miami Dolphins (2-6)

Week 14 – at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2)

Week 15 – vs. Carolina Panthers

Week 16 – vs. New York Jets (1-7)

Week 17 – at Tennessee Titans (1-7)

Week 18 – at Atlanta Falcons

Starting your career on the road against the Rams and with six of nine games in away environments sure isn’t easy. But for Shough, the opponents he has to topple will be the core focus rather than where his team faces them.

A win in two of the three Dolphins, Jets and Titans games and maybe a divisional win just for good measure could go a long way to convincing the Saints to build around Shough rather than adding competition for him for next year.

But losses in those situations and helping the team retain the No. 1 overall selection, which they are currently in position to claim, will likely lead the Saints directly to drafting his alternative.