Tyler Shough faces next big test against Jets

By Ross Jackson

While the New York Jets don’t have the most talented roster and have won just three games in the year, Sunday’s matchup with them presents rookie quarterback Tyler Shough with a unique challenge to prove an important element of his game. 

With injuries thrusting role players and reserves onto contributing roles, Shough must show on Sunday that he can elevate the offense and players around him. 

It’s a principle that is often associated with any franchise quarterback, the type of quarterback Shough is starting to prove he can be in New Orleans. 

He’ll still have two of his top pass-catching options. Wide receiver Chris Olave is the team’s leading receiver with 896 receiving yards, 82 catches and a career-high six touchdown catches. 

At tight end, Juwan Johnson has hit career highs on catches (62) and receiving yards (644). Both of which rank No. 2 on the team. He’s also added a trio of scoring receptions. 

With the team’s next leading receiver Deveaughn Vele shut down for the remainder of the season, Shough’s next top options Sunday lack previous production and opportunities. 

• TE Foster Moreau – 54 receiving yards
• WR Mason Tipton (questionable) – 47 yards
• TE Jack Stoll – 42 yards
• RB Audric Estime – 39 yards
• WR Kevin Austin Jr. – 33 yards
• QB Taysom Hill – 23 yards
• WR Dante Pettis – 14 yards
• TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden (questionable) – 14 yards
• RB Evan Hull – 6 yards

Among options, Stoll is the only player aside from Olave and Johnson on the roster to catch a touchdown this year. The two other players with scores, Vele and former wideout Rashid Shaheed are either injured and unavailable or playing for a different team.

From a proven perspective, the group leaves a lot to be desired. But Shough’s ability to extend plays and attack the middle of the field should provide some opportunities against the Jets’ man coverage-heavy system and lack of pass rush production. 

This game presents an important chance for Shough to prove that he’s the quarterback that can win you games and that he’s the signal caller that can elevate talent. 

It may be a battle between a 4-10 Saints team and a 3-11 Jets club with no playoff implications, but that doesn’t mean the game doesn’t mean anything. 

The Saints, and their fans in attendance for the final home game, could leave this matchup learning an incredibly important aspect of their young passer’s game. 

One that very well could be the catalyst for the team’s future success.