Tyler Shough defied expectations, salvaging a season and earning a fully guaranteed contract. The Saints bet on his poise and potential for 2026.
On Wednesday, Head Coach Kellen Moore and GM Mickey Loomis officially planted their flag, confirming that Tyler Shough will be the team’s starting quarterback heading into next season.
For a fan base that spent the better part of two decades spoiled by the stability of Drew Brees, the last few years have been a revolving door of "what ifs." From the Derek Carr retirement to the Spencer Rattler experiment, the Saints have been searching for a pulse at the most important position in sports. With Shough, they seem to have found one.
"Tyler's done an awesome job through this entire process. He's gotten a ton better. He's taken advantage of a bunch of opportunities," Moore said. "We're excited to have a full offseason to build."
The Case for Commitment
On paper, it’s easy to see why the front office is smiling. Shough didn't just play, he survived and thrived in a situation that would have swallowed most rookies. After taking over a 1-6 team from Spencer Rattler in November, Shough steered the ship to a respectable 5-4 finish as a starter.
His stats from the 2025 campaign tell a story of efficiency and poise:
- Completion Percentage: 67.6%
- Passing Yards: 2,384
- Touchdowns: 10 (plus 3 rushing)
- Passer Rating: 91.3
Beyond the box score, the Saints put their money where their mouth is. Shough’s rookie deal, a four-year, $10.8 million contract, which is fully guaranteed, is a rare show of financial faith for a second-round pick. By giving him the keys to the car before the 2026 Draft even begins, Mickey Loomis is signaling to the league that the Saints aren't in the market for a "bridge" veteran or a high-priced trade.
The 7 Year Stint
If there is a reason to be skeptical of a "long-term" commitment, it’s the calendar. Shough is 26 years old, the same age as many five-year NFL veterans. Having spent seven years in the college system across Oregon, Texas Tech, and Louisville, Shough arrived in New Orleans as a finished product rather than a raw project. This was one of the main factors that had "WhoDat" fans split on the front office choice of selecting Shough.
If the Saints are committed to Shough, they are committing to a specific style of play, a steady, reliable, and consistent style of play as some critics have noted. In an NFC South that could soon feature high-octane arms, is "steady" enough to win a Super Bowl?
What Real Commitment Looks Like
To build around Shough, the Saints need to do more than just name him the starter. They need to address the infrastructure that somewhat crippled the season.
- Protecting the Investment: If the Saints are serious about his future, the 2026 offseason must be defined by offensive line reinforcements.
- Weaponry: While Chris Olave remains a superstar, the depth behind him is thin. Building around Shough means finding a legitimate No. 2 threat to take the pressure off a young quarterback.
- Scheme Continuity: Kellen Moore’s system clearly suits Shough’s processing speed. Staying the course with this offensive philosophy is the greatest gift the organization can give him.
The Rundown
The Saints are currently in a "honeymoon phase" with Tyler Shough. He saved their 2025 season from becoming a total catastrophe and won the locker room in the process. However, Mickey Loomis’s own words on Wednesday served as a subtle reminder of the NFL’s reality:
"We have to remember he hasn't had 17 starts yet., so we're going to go into next season with these high expectations and there's nothing wrong with that. But we also have to temper that by the fact that ... he's a second-year quarterback and he's had less than full season to start. So we've got to keep that in mind as we go forward. There are building blocks here and we cannot skip any steps."
The Saints have committed to Shough for 2026. Whether they are committed to him for 2030 depends entirely on if they spend this offseason buying the bricks to build his house, or just enough paint to make the current one look nice.