Tyler Shough Turns in "Encouraging" Practice on Thursday
New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough, who is firmly in the battle for the QB1 job, had an "encouraging performance" during Thursday's OTA practice. "Shough showed it today," Saints reporter Nick Underhill wrote. "Hit two bombs for TDs, real nice layered throw going to the sideline and had an incomplete pass on the move that barely missed but athleticism flashed." The 25-year-old is likely the favorite to be the Week 1 starter in Kellen Moore's new offense after the sudden retirement of Derek Carr (shoulder), so the positive report is promising. Shough was a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft after tossing for 7,820 yards, 59 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions in 42 collegiate games with Oregon, Texas Tech, and Louisville. He also scored 11 career rushing touchdowns. Shough is no stranger to learning a new system on the fly, so he could exceed relatively low expectations in Year 1.
Tyler Shough Could Make History by Winning Starting QB Job
If New Orleans Saints rookie second-round quarterback Tyler Shough wins the team's QB competition this offseason and starts in Week 1 this fall, he would be the first Week 1 rookie starter for the organization since Archie Manning did it in 1971 after being taken second overall out of Ole Miss. After Derek Carr's abrupt retirement, Shough will be competing with Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener (oblique) for the starting gig under center after being taken 40th overall in the second round in April. He's the third-highest QB selection for the Saints in their history after taking Manning at No. 2 overall and Bo Burris at 27th overall in 1967. Perhaps giving Shough a leg up is the fact that he's old for a rookie -- he will turn 26 on Sept. 28 after seven seasons in college. Considering his draft status, Shough is considered the early favorite to win the job. If he does, he'll be a low-end QB2 in superflex fantasy leagues.
Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler Sharing First-Team Reps at OTAs
New Orleans Saints quarterbacks Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler have been splitting first-team reps at OTAs this offseason, according to head coach Kellen Moore. Shough, who spent time at three universities over seven years in college, was the team's second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Rattler was a fifth-round pick in last year's draft and appeared in seven games last season, completing 57% of his passes for 1,317 yards with four touchdowns and five interceptions. Shough should be viewed as the favorite to win the starting job, but the Saints' staff likely wants him to "earn" it. It's worth noting that 2023 draft pick Jake Haener (oblique) is dealing with an injury suffered earlier this week. Even if Shough exceeds expectations as a rookie, it would be surprising if he's on the fantasy football radar in single-QB setups.
Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener Will Compete For Starting QB Job
In the wake of quarterback Derek Carr's (shoulder) retirement on Saturday, New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore said that the team will rotation all of their quarterbacks -- rookie second-rounder Tyler Shough, second-year man Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener -- to give them all opportunities as they look to win the starting job heading into the 2025 season. "We're going to let all three of these guys roll," Moore said. Shough is already 25 years old and has plenty of collegiate experience, giving him the initial leg up as the favorite to take over for Carr this year. However, Rattler, a fifth-round pick in 2024, did play in seven games (six starts) in his rookie campaign, completing just 57% of his 228 pass attempts for 1,317 yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions. Haener has thrown only 39 NFL passes. Whoever wins the job in New Orleans will be considered a low-end QB2 for those in superflex fantasy formats.
Now that quarterback Derek Carr (shoulder) has announced his retirement, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport writes that it sets the stage for rookie second-round quarterback Tyler Shough to be the team's eventual starter in 2025. Shough's stock for his rookie campaign was already rising with Carr's availability in question for 2025 due to a shoulder injury, but now Carr is out of the picture completely. The 25-year-old Shough will be competing primarily with Spencer Rattler, who completed just 57% of his passes while throwing four touchdowns and five interceptions in his rookie season in 2024. Even if the Saints give Shough a little more time to develop and name Rattler the starter for Week 1, it seems likely that Shough will be starting games in the Big Easy sooner than later in 2025. Shough is old for a rookie and has plenty of experience, making him the current favorite over Rattler for QB1 duties.
The Saints drafted quarterback Tyler Shough near the top of the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, adding the QB from Louisville as the third quarterback off the board in the draft. The Saints took him ahead of Shedeur Sanders from Colorado, who continues to slide in the second round. Shough is an intriguing prospect who has the physical tools to be a traditional pocket passer. He was inconsistent, though, especially with his lower-body mechanics in his time at Louisville. He has more experience than most draft picks as a seven-year college prospect and will turn 26 during the first month of the season. Even though he isn't a long-term development project, Shough could help the Saints in the short term since Derek Carr is dealing with a shoulder injury, and his availability for 2025 is uncertain.
Tyler Shough Could Come Off The Board Before Shedeur Sanders
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero said on the Dan Patrick Show that it's "entirely possible" that Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough is taken in Round 2 of the 2025 NFL draft on Friday night before Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders. "The wildest rumor is that the third QB off the board will not be Shedeur Sanders, it will not be Jalen Milroe it'll be Tyler Shough," Pelissero said. Shough was Justin Herbert's backup at Oregon for two years, but he's gained a lot of steam going into the second round and could go as high as No. 33 overall to the Cleveland Browns. The 25-year-old's experience, size (6-foot-5, 219 pounds) and arm strength are all things that are intriguing to NFL teams and that could set him apart from Sanders. Like Sanders, Shough is more of a pocket passer, but teams could be scared away from him early in the second round after he suffered injuries in three straight years.
ESPN's Dan Graziano targets Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough as a name to watch as a potential riser ahead of April's NFL draft. Scouts are in love with his ability and instincts. Shough broke his collarbone and his ankle in separate seasons at Texas Tech, but those injuries were more bad luck than chronic conditions. The biggest knock on him is the fact that he'll be turning 26 years old in September, which means he'll be almost 30 when his rookie contract is up. It's one of the big reasons that Shough hasn't gotten much buzz in what is considered a weak QB class in 2025, but he could be a sleeper to watch on Day 2 or 3 of the draft. He is ranked as Mel Kiper Jr.'s eighth-best QB in this year's class and possesses a live arm as a pocket passer. The 25-year-old also plays with good vision, but he has been inconsistent and struggles with pressure.
Tyler Shough
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Saints
