Morstead endorses his No. 6 to Tyler Shough

By Ross Jackson

The New Orleans Saints made waves last week with the second-round selection of Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough.

With major question marks looming around the team’s quarterback situation, Shough could end up being a day one starter. Either way, he is very likely to see meaningful snaps during his first season.

The Louisville passer wore No. 9 during his most recent collegiate season, No. 12 before that. With No. 12 taken by wide receiver Chris Olave and No. 9 off limits after being worn by the franchise’s greatest player, quarterback Drew Brees, Shough shared his thoughts on what his number might be in a Saints uniform in a recent interview.

On Sports360AZ Tyler Shough said he wouldn’t be wearing the number 8 or 9 and hopes to wear either 6 or 18 pic.twitter.com/SlsK4wXa8g

— Trizzy Trace (@tracegirouard48) May 1, 2025

With Nos. 6 and 18 available, it looks like Shough would be headed towards one of the two. For the record, No. 18 was originally worn by last year’s quarterback draft pick Spencer Rattler, but he changed to  No. 2 early this offseason.

No. 6 was most recently worn by linebacker Willie Gay Jr., who signed with the Miami Dolphins in free agency. But one of the other recent names to wear that number, punter Thomas Morstead, took to social media to share his thoughts on Shough donning the digit beginning in 2025.

Tyler, take #6!
I hope it is as good to you as it was to me.#WHODAT https://t.co/PhbRWxOL18

— Thomas Morstead (@thomasmorstead) May 1, 2025

Though the number has been reassigned following Morstead’s departure, it is still largely associated with him by current Saints fans. He, of course, being the kickoff specialist during his rookie year in 2009 that booted Ambush, the surprise second half onside kick in the club’s only Super Bowl appearance and win.

Morestead was such a figure throughout his Saints’ tenure that the team honored him with a press conference as he departed. The punter also still makes multiple annual visits to New Orleans, a place he and his family clearly still consider home.

Shough may be the new face in town, but getting a bit of a co-sign from one of the franchise’s most recognizable, important and truly influential players is a pretty strong start for the rookie quarterback. 

The Saints kick off rookie minicamp late next week, at which time or slightly before, Shough’s number will become clear. But hard to imagine him choosing anything other than No. 6 after Morstead’s kind gesture.