JACKSON: Saints find their QB in Tyler Shough’s breakout

By Ross Jackson

After investing the 40th selection in Tyler Shough, a 26-year-old quarterback from Louisville, the New Orleans Saints spent months being battered for their decisions. Some didn’t like the pick. Others criticized the decision not to start him right out of the gate. The club was even given grief for making the change to Shough over Spencer Rattler.

Despite all of that, throughout a 17-7 victory over the Carolina Panthers, Shough showed everyone that the Saints might have been right about him.

Quarterback play is all about consistency. Stringing together more successful performances will be expected. This win won’t be able to stand on its own. But it is the beginning of what the Saints will hope is a long-standing display of success.

Against the Panthers, Shough became the first rookie quarterback to win a game for New Orleans since Dave Wilson did it in 1981. Before that, Larry Cipa in 1974 followed Archie Manning in 1971.

The last rookie quarterback to win a game for the #Saints was Dave Wilson in 1981, a 21-13 win over the Rams.

Per Next Gen Stats, it’s the longest active rookie win drought in the league by six seasons.

— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) November 7, 2025

And he did it by actively contributing to the victory. Rather than just being a passer the team can win with, Shough played like a quarterback that teams win because of.

Of his 282 passing yards, 201 came third down. He completed seven of his 10 passing attempts for two touchdowns and six first downs. Shough kept plays alive, working through pressure and finding open targets for big gains. 

Was it perfect? Of course not. But his display of managing imperfection and still generating big plays while taking care of the football is sure to have pleased head coach Kellen Moore.

“I thought Tyler took an awesome step today,” Moore said after the game. “I thought he made some big-time plays. Some off-schedule plays, the two to [tight end Juwan Johnson], off schedule, moving within the pocket. I thought he hung in that pocket really, really well. Delivered.”

For the second consecutive week, Shough connected with Johnson for a touchdown on a play where the tight end wasn’t easy in the progression. Instead, he found him late and delivered a pass that allowed Johnson to pick up extra yards going into the endzone.

JUWAN TO THE HOUSE! 🏠

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/0KUM7Pjfxl

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 9, 2025

“I mean he was the last guy the ball was supposed to go to on that play,” Shough said in his postgame media availability. “We’re really trying to work the field side there on a high-low [passing concept] with a dig and a shallow and he just slipped out on a scramble drill and it was just a really good play by him finishing it off.”

Shough and the Saints will go into next week with a bye and an opportunity to get rested. Wide receiver Chris Olave was dealing with a nagging ankle issue on his way to his first 100-plus-yard receiving day. Right tackle Taliese Fuaga was out with his own ankle injury and a week of rest never hurts in the NFL. 

After that, the team will return to the Caesars Superdome in front of what is sure to be a supercharged crowd as the Saints host the Atlanta Falcons. It’s a chance for Shough to continue his strong debut and perhaps cement himself as a fan-favorite if he can help knock off the bitter rivals in his third career start.