JACKSON: Could Saints play long game at quarterback?

By Ross Jackson

The New Orleans Saints sure sound satisfied with the early showings of rookie quarterback Tyler Shough. 

After a standout performance against the Carolina Panthers last week, many believe the Saints have their next quarterback in line at least through 2026. Others have taken a more cautious yet optimistic approach. The remaining seven games of the season are likely to provide much more context around the discussion. 

However, there is another possibility that’s growing in popularity: the long game. 

NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay pondered this very idea in his recent mock draft. So, too, have several local media members and commenters. 

…There’s also the Saints, who want to see how Shough finishes the season. Maybe another team w/ trade-back potential to load up for that insanely talented ‘27 QB group (giving Shough another full season to prove himself)? https://t.co/nT5jQr6Irf

— Todd McShay (@McShay13) November 14, 2025

This is absolutely a path the Saints could take. If they land inside the top-5 selections but are pleased with Shough’s progress enough to be willing to give him the 2026 season as a starter, New Orleans could trade back. It feels like a bit of a leap in logic because Saints general manager Mickey Loomis is known for not trading back in the draft. It’s been nearly 20 years since he has, the last move back taking place in 2007. 

But this is a scenario where it could make absolute sense with quarterback-needy teams seeing a finishing talent pool available at the position. The 2026 draft class was supposed to be outstanding. Instead, it’s been disappointing and underwhelming with only one sure-fire top selection now in Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. Some remain high in Oregon’s Dante Moore and look to be talking themselves into Alabama’s Ty Simpson by the week. The other expected top names are all quickly tumbling, or have already fallen, out of the first round. 

This approach would allow the Saints to add some future draft capital, putting them in position to attack the quarterback position in 2027, if needed. But the ideal scenario for New Orleans is simply that Shough pans out. While the 2027 quarterback class is expected to be very talented, it’s receiving the same fanfare that classes like 2022, 2023 and 2026 initially received. 

While planning for the future sounds nice, there’s no real way to do it. 

So yes, the Saints could play the long game. But the best-case scenario remains the development of present talent. As relying on upcoming classes has proven to yield less-than-impressive results.