The New Orleans Saints went into the 2025 NFL Draft needing a quarterback. Derek Carr is dealing with a shoulder injury that may cause him to miss the entire season. The rest of the players on the roster did not instill confidence last season. In the second round, the team took Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough, a college veteran who had a breakout year in 2024. They hope he can be the answer at the quarterback position, and the immediate reactions have been positive.
New Orleans Saints QB Tyler Shough Already Impressing
While some criticize the age of Tyler Shough, he is using his experience to his advantage. Pair that with his size, and the makings of an NFL quarterback are very clear to see. In the first few practices since the draft, Shough has reportedly impressed many coaches including new head coach Kellen Moore.
“Tyler’s experience, certainly there’s value to that. You can see it in the classroom aspect of this thing. His ability to process football at a very easy rate in the classroom. It’s really, really good when you throw him up there and you’re watching film and you’re talking about plays and concepts. He’s got great exposure, and he’s got great experiences that he can lean on…He was ready, he was prepared. Obviously he’s been through a lot, in a good way, so he’s ready to compete in our quarterback room.”
It makes sense that Tyler Shough would be more experienced. He spent seven years in college due to various injuries. While there are advantages to a young quarterback, having an experienced one means a better chance for success right away.
2025 Outlook
The New Orleans Saints are one of the hardest teams to predict every year. They definitely aren’t tanking, but they also don’t have a roster that screams Super Bowl contender. Alvin Kamara is still one of the best dual-threat running backs in the league. Chris Olave has injury concerns, but is still a quality young receiver.
It might boil down to whether Tyler Shough can win some games as the starter. If Carr is out for the season, he shouldn’t have a difficult time winning the job from Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener. The Saints are also in an easier division, making their path to more wins more doable.
Final Thoughts
If you are a fan of the New Orleans Saints, the positive news is good to hear, even if it is a little manufactured. Obviously, the team wants to pump up their recent draft pick. However, if Shough is as advertised, he could help raise the floor of this team in 2025.
