Saints’ Tyler Shough was one of the most clutch QBs in 2025

By Ross Jackson

The New Orleans Saints have a lot of reason to be excited about their young quarterback in Tyler Shough. He finished out his first year with a 5-4 record as a starter in a six-win season for the team and showed that he could generate big plays while managing adversity, injured weapons around him and pressure.

But one of the biggest reasons to be excited about the team’s hopeful 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Year is his ability to perform in clutch situations.

#Saints rookie QB and OROTY hopeful Tyler Shough had the highest passer rating (103.3) and second-highest completion percentage (66.7%) on third downs among qualifying QBs this year.

Both topping fellow rookies Ward and Dart and MVP candidates like Maye, Allen and Stafford.

— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) January 5, 2026

Shough’s third down efficiency reinvigorated the Saints’ offense in helping to extend drives and keep the offense on the field. The Saints’ third down conversion rate went from 38.8% over the first 10 weeks to 40.4% after Week 10. Not a huge leap, but enough to make a difference for the team, leading to wins down the stretch.

Beyond that, he also led the NFL among qualifying quarterbacks in passer rating (103.3) and completion percentage (66.7%) on third down passes. 

In the fourth quarter, he also led the league in passing yards per game in the closing 15 minutes of his starts while picking up the most fourth-quarter first downs in the process.

Finally, the Saints were an abysmal 38.5% red zone to touchdown conversion team over the first 10 weeks, one of the worst in the last decade. And finished Weeks 11-18 with a 52.6% conversion rate, ranking No. 16 in the NFL.

Shough helped the Saints thrive in clutch situations, showing up when big plays were needed. It’s no wonder New Orleans is enjoying one of the most optimistic and exciting six-win seasons the franchise has seen.