​The New Orleans Saints are determined to win the NFC South, and they finally have a quarterback who could elevate them into playoff contention for the 2026 NFL season. Last year, rookie quarterback Tyler Shough emerged as the Saints’ potential long-term solution at the position, signaling a new era under center. In the 2025 campaign, Shough logged 604 total snaps for New Orleans and earned a 74.6 overall PFF grade. He threw for 2,384 yards and 10 touchdowns while committing six interceptions, and he also registered 13 big-time throws and eight turnover-worthy plays. On the ground, he added 125 rushing yards from scrambles and three rushing touchdowns.
Even with solid production, Shough finished as the runner-up for the 2025 Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, with Carolina Panthers wideout Tetairoa McMillan taking the award. Nevertheless, Shough is poised to build on his impressive rookie season, and respected former Saints quarterback Derek Carr offered high praise for the second-year signal-caller. During a July 10 appearance on Good Morning Football, Carr said, “Shough came in and he was already just so mature. Obviously, he was a little older than the guys coming in. He’s been through life. He’s had adversity that he’s gone through. You can tell, man, he came in and was ready to ball. Just such a good, humble guy.”
Carr also believes New Orleans’ offense is poised for continued success with Shough at the helm, supported by a group of talented playmakers. He highlighted the progressing young core of weapons, including Chris Olave, Juwan Johnson, Travis Etienne Jr., and Jordyn Tyson. “I’m happy for the city of New Orleans, man, that they got a good young quarterback who can throw to those good young receivers,” Carr said. “He’s a great person, and he’s leading them. I always go above the talent. You’ve got to have the talent, obviously, and he does, but it’s just the way he carries himself. He’s very confident, and with a young coach in Kellen [Moore], anytime your head coach is the play caller, that’s a good thing for a young quarterback too.”
Shough himself has articulated what underpinned both his and the team’s success last season when he took over as the starting quarterback, helping finish the year on a positive note. In a July 7 appearance on Green Light with Chris Long, he reflected on the early stretch of the season: “The biggest thing when I came in, we were 1-9 or 1-10. I was like, ‘Man, we’ve got nothing to lose.’ I felt like I had nothing to lose. Obviously, you’re being evaluated on every single snap, especially at quarterback. It was great for me to learn, fail early, and be able to bounce back and put together a string of games where I felt like we were all jelling. I think that’s what we want to take into this year. Regardless of who we’re playing, let’s just go out there, be ourselves, and have fun because a lot of the stuff isn’t in our control.”
As the Saints look ahead to the 2026 season, the expectation is that Shough, with his blend of maturity, work ethic, and leadership, can continue to develop and lead a team confident in its offensive talent. The supporting cast around him—Olave, Johnson, Etienne Jr., and Tyson—offers a dynamic mix of playmaking ability and versatility, while coach Kellen Moore’s offensive approach provides a framework that can help maximize Shough’s strengths. If Shough continues to grow, minimizes turnovers where possible, and leverages the Saints’ weapons effectively, New Orleans could establish itself as a formidable force within a competitive NFC South. The combination of a confident young quarterback, a solid supporting cast, and a progressive coaching staff bodes well for the Saints as they pursue a return to postseason contention in 2026.