Shough vs. Ward: Rookie QB showdown in Week 17

By Ross Jackson

In Week 17, the New Orleans Saints and Tennessee Titans will square off with a pair of rookie quarterbacks battling for a win. Beyond the game’s result, the pairing could be slugging it out for the title of “best rookie quarterback.”

While Saints’ rookie Tyler Shough says there’s no extra motivation necessary for him when facing Titans’ Cam Ward, the NFL world will still have its opinions after the game. 

“I was thankful for every opportunity I was going to get,” Shough said Tuesday when asked if there was a chip on his shoulder taking on the No. 1 overall quarterback. “I had full confidence in myself wherever I was going to go. I’m happy to be here at the Saints. I’m happy to be playing football right now  in the NFL. We’ve got a job to do. That’s my mindset.”

Ward currently leads all rookie passers in passing yards (2,866) and starts on the season (16) while Shough is paving the way forward as the leader in completion percentage (66.4) and wins among the same group (4). 

Shough is also the top quarterback in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting. 

The two will take the field against one another Sunday in Nashville, Tenn. to face a pair of defenses on the other side, but the comparisons will be made between the two passers as if they faced head-to-head. It’s an inevitable conclusion. 

Ward is playing his best football of the season thus far, having thrown a pair of touchdowns in each of the last three games. All of which against talented defenses while facing the Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs.  

Meanwhile, Shough is taking the field after his first 300-yard passing performance and having led the Saints to a season-high 29 points. 

Both quarterbacks will carry momentum and growing expectations into the game. Who comes out on top may end being all about what the supporting cast sent them, and with Shough having more top-end talent and the league’s top defense since Week 10, he may leave Nissan Stadium viewed as the best quarterback in the 2025 rookie class with a win Sunday.