Saints quarterback Tyler Shough recalls the terrifying speed of the Tennessee star, describing a relentless backfield pursuit that proved why elite interior defenders dominate the professional game.
The Tennessee Titans faced two of the quarterbacks drafted below Cam Ward in the 2025 NFL Draft.
After Ward was selected No. 1 overall, the New York Giants were next to take a quarterback off the board. The Giants selected Jaxson Dart at No. 25.
Then, the New Orleans Saints took Tyler Shough at No. 40. Although he was covered heavily throughout the draft, Shedeur Sanders didn't go until the fifth round to the Cleveland Browns.
The Titans faced both Shough and Sanders last season. Tennessee went to Cleveland first to face Sanders in Week 14.
The Titans outlasted Sanders and the Browns 31-29 due to a botched two-point conversion in the final two minutes of the game. Tennessee recovered the onside kick and walked out of Cleveland with a win.
Then, the Saints headed to Nissan Stadium to face the Titans in Week 17.
It was a high-scoring affair between New Orleans and Tennessee, but the Saints prevailed 34-26.
The game was revisited as Jeffery Simmons made the NFL Top 100 List. I voiced my displeasure with him coming in at No. 83 in a previous article.
Shough spoke about what it was like facing Simmons, and it's clear that the Titans star definitely was one of his welcome-to-the-NFL moments.
"Yeah, I mean, Jeffery Simmons was probably the best D-lineman that we faced this year," Shough said. "I remember throwing a quick out route, and he was already hitting me. Just like, what just happened? That dude is in the backfield. He's just an elite-level guy to have in the middle that you can't really account for. He's going to win whenever he wants to."
This isn't the first time we've seen it look like Simmons has teleported into the backfield. Against the Houston Texans on the road last season, Simmons nearly jumped the snap and sacked C.J. Stroud in a matter of seconds.
Shough wasn't the starting quarterback for the Saints right away. He had to sit behind Spencer Rattler until he was named the starter in Week 9.
It was the second-to-last game of Shough's rookie season, but facing Simmons is never going to be fun for any quarterback.
Simmons had seven total tackles and one sack that game. Shough still remembers the one sack he had on him, it seems.
At the end of the day, the NFL is much different than college. You have players like Simmons who are 6-foot-4 and over 300 pounds but can surprise you with their speed.
