A second chance to build on a rookie breakout
Tyler Shough entered the NFL with modest expectations after falling to the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. By the end of his rookie season, he had helped turn around a New Orleans Saints team that started 1-8 and finished 6-10, and he is now preparing for his second year with a clear goal in mind.
"I feel like I'm chasing this version of myself, this better version of myself where I feel like I hold myself to a really high standard," Shough said, as reported by Yardbarker. "I always feel like I'm going to play with a chip on my shoulder."
Shough, who will turn 27 in September, began last season as a backup behind Spencer Rattler. His first extended action came in a relief appearance in Week 8, when he completed 17 of 30 passes for 128 yards, with no touchdowns and an interception. He went on to start nine games, finishing with a 5-4 record, 2,384 passing yards, 10 touchdown passesament and six interceptions, according to Yardbarker and other reports.
His performance earned him a second-place finish in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting)Skip. Among qualified quarterbacks, he ranked 24th in adjusted QBR (48.8) and 19th in passer rating (91.3), according to Yardbarker.
A new piece on the offensive line
The Saints have looked to strengthen the infrastructure around their young quarterback. Their most notable offseason addition came on the offensive line: veteran guard David Edwards, who signed a four-year, $61 million contract in free agency, per Newsweek.
Edwards, 28, stands 6'6" and weighs 308 pounds. Last season, he played 1,035 snaps and allowed three sacks in 17 games. He brings postseason experience — having played in the playoffs in five of the past six seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills, including a Super Bowl LVI title — and has started at both left and right guard while helping call protections for Matthew Stafford and Josh Allen, Newsweek reported.
The Saints have been cycling through quarterbacks since Drew Brees retired, and the offensive line has been a persistent concern. The addition of Edwards is seen as a stabilizing force for a unit that will be tasked with protecting Shough.
A season of growth amid a team rebuild
Shough's path to the NFL was far from smooth. He suffered serious injuries in each college season from 2021 through 2023, according to Yardbarker, which delayed his development. But his rookie campaign in New Orleans suggested he may be capable of carrying the franchise forward.
The Saints have not played in a playoff game since January 2021, and the team's rebuild has been shaped around Shough's emergence under center. His teammates, including wide receiver Chris Olave, who had the best season of his career with Shough at quarterback, and Alvin Kamara, who remained steady when healthy, have contributed to the offense's growth, Newsweek reported.
Shough's own assessment of last season emphasizes the standard he wants to maintain. "My mindset is to just kind of go for it," he said, according to Yardbarker. He also acknowledged the expectations that come with his role.
Looking ahead
As the Saints continue to reshape their roster, the combination of Shough's development and Edwards' arrival on the offensive line gives New Orleans a foundation to build around. Shough said he understands the business side of the NFL, but his focus remains on meeting the high expectations set during his rookie campaign.
The team's 6-10 finish last season — after an 1-8 start — suggested progress, and with a more stable offensive line, Shough aims to take another step forward in 2026.