Every professional receiver remembers their first NFL catch. For New Orleans Saints wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, his was almost one to forget.
Tyson caught his first pass in his Sunday debut with 8:11 left in the second quarter. It was a nine-yard throw-and-catch that was set to put the Saints in position for a third-and-1 from the one-yard line with a chance to punch it in to take a 10-3 lead.
Instead Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger, reigning Defensive Rookie of The Year, punched the ball out with Tyson showing extra effort diving forward for additional yardage.
The moment could have shaken Tyson, who has worked hard to return to the field after a hamstring injury delayed his NFL debut until the 23-22 overtime victory over Cleveland.
Instead, he remained focused and went on to pile up a four-catch, 30-yard day that helped to contribute to the Saints’ win with the remainder of his three receptions and 21 receiving yards each coming on third down.
“It was crazy,” Tyson said after the game. “I didn’t believe it. I was in shock. I was like, ‘No way I just fumbled.’ I knew I fumbled from the start too, but someone actually told me Brett Favre threw a pick-six on his first pass ever. Maybe I got action.”
Favre’s first pass was indeed an interception returned for a touchdown. It was a six-yard pick-six thrown in a 1991 game against the Atlanta Falcons. Much like Favre, Tyson is intent on not allowing the first moment be the only moment that defines his day.
The rookie wideout said that compartmentalizing was a strength of his in response to making his pro debut and getting past the talk of his injury history. This moment was another where that strength proved valuable.
“Nobody wants to fumble,” he said. “Nobody exercises fumbling. It’s just part of the game, especially now with like there’s like a 40% increase in fumble opportunities. So they (are) coming for that ball and they’re not playing around with it. I got to protect it.”
Tyson will tuck this one away as a learning opportunity as he gears up for his role to continue growing. Outside of the fumble, he showed off his trademark explosiveness, and smooth route-running, on his way to making some key catches down the stretch when the Saints and Browns combined for 33 points in the fourth quarter and overtime as they tried to keep pace with one another.
The rookie wasn’t left alone to navigate the adversity he overcame before his debut game. He’s had quite the mentor and example to follow in wide receiver Chris Olave. Tyson and Olave have developed a strong relationship since he arrived in New Orleans, one that’s led to Olave being the go-to player to build up the 2026 first-round selection at every turn.
“(Olave) just tried to give me the confidence that I’m ready and it’s time to go,” Tyson said. “We got to get this win. He called me this morning. He was the first person that called me.”
Now the two wideouts will continue to see their on-field chemistry grow, leading to what should be one of the NFL’s top tandem for quarterback Tyler Shough to target throughout the stretch run of the season.
Tyson could have allowed himself to become rattled by his early turnover, but instead, he followed the path that New Orleans is most known for: one of resilience. Through that, he ended up being a key contributing factor to the Saints’ first home win of the season and will now have even more confidence and momentum next week when Saints host the Carolina Panthers.
