Tyler Shough embracing opportunity, city since arrival
05/12/2025
By Ross Jackson
It isn’t unusual in today’s NFL to see a first-year starting quarterback take the reins immediately. What is unusual is a first-day non-first round rookie taking over a team from day one.
That may indeed be the case for New Orleans Saints rookie quarterback Tyler Shough who is heavily favored, as the presumed hand-picked selection of head coach Kellen Moore, to become the new starter in the Big Easy.
Shough would be placed among rarified air should this pan out in his favor. In the last ten seasons, there have only been two non-first round week one starting rookie quarterbacks.
In 2017, DeShone Kizer began his 0-15 rookie season immediately with the Cleveland Browns, and in 2014, former Saints quarterback Derek Carr became the week one starter for the then-Oakland Raiders. He finished 3-13 as a rookie.
The Saints will obviously hope for more success than that if they elect Shough as the starter, though patience will be key throughout this process.
For Shough, he’s been focused on meeting the moment. And he’s doing so in multiple ways. Throughout rookie minicamp, he impressed with his arm talent as well as his ability to run and orchestrate the offense. Between reps, he was often at the side of his head coach, talking, asking questions and learning.
Moore has been consistent that the cerebral side of the game will carry a lot of weight for his offense. That’s to be expected for the quarterback position as a whole, but as an offensive mastermind head coach, one has to imagine it carries even more.
Shough bouncing ideas, having conversations and asking questions won’t show up in a stat sheet. But it’s the kind of thing that moves the needle for his coaching staff. He’s taking advantage of that opportunity immediately.
Beyond that, he’s taken an early position in ingratiating himself with the fanbase and city.
Saints fans went through a disappointing pair of years with former passer Derek Carr. One of the biggest reasons being the lack of connection between the passer and the city, especially when mirrored against the efforts of precious passers like Drew Brees and Jameis Winston.
He’s dined at a famed New Orleans eating establishment, shared a passionate message with the fanbase and even had a true Big Easy introduction by popping a tire after hitting a pothole. A rite of passage in New Orleans, really.
Tyler Shough says that he already popped a tire on a pothole in New Orleans.
— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) May 10, 2025
Shough has a major opportunity ahead of him. And so far, he looks to be taking the bull by the horns and trying to make the most of it.