It’s becoming even more clear.
I don't care who the opponents have been. Tyler Shough has wrapped up the OROTY award after outplaying the number one overall pick, Cam Ward. With eleven total touchdowns (two rushing), another 300-yard performance, a 69.6% completion percentage, and almost 2,000 passing yards (11 yards per completion and 7.7 yards per attempt), Shough has raised the Saints and won the award.
Numbers are great and one piece of the puzzle of evaluation, but the Saints just look different. That's what a franchise quarterback does. Sure, Spencer Rattler won the competition in training camp, but that doesn't mean the decision was wrong. Shough wasn't the guy we are seeing today.
Chris Olave is enjoying his best season a professional and endorsed his quarterback on X after their win over Tennessee.
Olave continued his praise about Shough and what the Saints are building.
"When the moment comes, you've got to make a play," Olave said of Shough. "And he's done that every single time. He delivered every single time this year. And it's not really much to say. I feel like when the opportunity presents itself, he's making the play every time. So you can't really teach that. He's a winner, what I've seen. So I can't wait to build around this. ... I'm looking forward to the future."
Running back Devin Neal is on the same page as Olave.
Kellen Moore spoke glowingly about his rookie quarterback following the win on Sunday.
"What everyone just watched is two quarterbacks that are probably going to be big-time quarterbacks in our league for a really long time," Moore said. "And so we're fortunate to have Tyler. I think Cam's going to do a great job here in Tennessee as they build this thing. And so I thought it was a fun game."
The most important quote came from Shough himself.
"We're here for a reason, we're going to go out there and operate," Shough said. "There's no, 'Oh man, if we had this, or this is a good opponent.' Let's go out there and play football, man. This is why you do it. And that's kind of my message. What a great opportunity. Next man up, now you get to go make plays and everybody stepped up. Everybody did."
Shough has wrapped up his team's confidence and is the Offensive Rookie of the Year. I have a vote as a PFWA member. I will be voting for Shough.