Two Saints receive NFL monthly honors

By Ross Jackson

The New Orleans Saints finished their 2025 season with a strong push, winning four of their final five games of the year. They did so behind two key factors: rookie quarterback Tyler Shough’s rapid ascension and the defense’s stellar play.

The NFL recognized, with two monthly awards, exactly those elements of the Saints’ recent success.

Shough was selected as the league’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month and defensive end Chase Young was named NFC Defensive Player of the Month.

#Saints players earned two honors for December/January.

QB Tyler Shough is NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month.

DE Chase Young is NFC Defensive Player of the Month

— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) January 8, 2026

Shough led the team to its third undefeated December in franchise history while completing 114 of his 163 passing attempts (69.9%) for 1,316 passing yards and five passing touchdowns. He threw only a pair of interceptions while notching a 99.1 passer rating in the final month of the season. He threw for a 111.6 passer rating on third downs in those games.

The rookie quarterback also made plays with his legs with 24 rushes for 135 rushing yards and three touchdown runs in the final month.

As for Young, he piled on 19 tackles (six for a loss) including five sacks and a forced fumble over the final five games of the season. That forced fumble came against the Tennessee Titans on a remarkable play in which he pulled the ball away from rookie quarterback Cam Ward and returned it for a touchdown.

CHASE YOUNG STOLE THE BALL AND TOOK IT TO THE HOUSE

NOvsTEN on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/YwAyHIJ3ww

— NFL (@NFL) December 28, 2025