Take a bow, Tyler Shough. On December 28, 2025, the New Orleans Saints’ rookie quarterback delivered a performance that Saints fans—and perhaps the entire NFL—won’t soon forget. In a thrilling Week 17 contest against the Tennessee Titans, Shough completed 22 of his 27 passes for a career-high 333 yards and two touchdowns, rallying his team from a 10-point halftime deficit to a 34-26 victory. It was the kind of game that cements legacies, launches careers, and, for the Saints, may have finally answered the franchise’s most pressing question: Do we have our quarterback of the future?
Shough’s ascent has been nothing short of remarkable. Just a few months ago, he was an untested rookie, waiting in the wings behind Spencer Rattler. But after taking over the starting job in November, he’s not only steadied the ship—he’s turned it around. The Saints, who began the year with a dismal 1-8 record, have now rattled off four straight wins and improved to 6-10, already surpassing their 2024 win total. Shough’s numbers? They speak for themselves: a 69.6% completion rate, 1,997 passing yards, nine passing touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns, only four interceptions, and 23 sacks over eight starts. If you stretch those stats over a full 17-game season, he’d be on pace for 4,244 passing yards and 27 touchdowns. Not bad for a second-round pick who wasn’t even the starter in September.
But numbers only tell part of the story. Sunday’s victory over the Titans showcased Shough’s resilience and poise under pressure. The Saints were missing key starters—wide receiver Devaughn Vele, running back Alvin Kamara, and all three interior offensive linemen were sidelined. The offense sputtered early, falling behind 13-0 and 20-10 at different points. Special teams miscues and defensive lapses threatened to derail the game. Yet, every time the Saints needed a spark, Shough delivered.
After halftime, with the Saints trailing by 10, Shough engineered a nine-play, 74-yard drive capped by a 19-yard touchdown strike to Chris Olave. That trimmed the Titans’ lead to three and reignited the New Orleans sideline. Later, after a fumble cost the Saints a scoring opportunity, Shough shook off the setback and led a four-play, 80-yard march, hitting Kevin Austin for a 10-yard touchdown. That series was set up by a dazzling 60-yard bomb to Olave, who finished with 119 yards on eight receptions. "You lock in the quarterback position, your team has a chance," Saints safety Justin Reid remarked, echoing the growing consensus in the locker room.
The Saints’ defense also played a crucial role in the comeback. Early in the second quarter, edge rusher Chase Young stripped the ball from Titans quarterback Cam Ward and returned it 33 yards for a touchdown. "My dad used to tell me when I was a kid, ‘Take the ball out of his hand!’ For that split second, it hit me. I was like, ‘Man, the ball is right there, I can take it,’" Young said after the game. That play set the tone for a New Orleans team that refused to quit, even as the Titans—led by the elusive rookie Cam Ward—kept finding ways to answer back.
Ward, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, showed flashes of brilliance himself, passing for 251 yards and two touchdowns while evading pressure and extending plays. The Saints sacked him four times, though it could have been more if not for Ward’s magician-like escapes. Defensive end Chase Young even compared Ward to Kansas City Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes, saying, "He does things you just don’t see from most rookies." But on this day, it was Shough who stole the spotlight.
Shough’s performance wasn’t just statistically impressive—it was historic. His 81.5% completion percentage and 142.7 passer rating were both career highs, and his passer rating was the best by any rookie quarterback in a game this season. In fact, he also owns the second-best mark (128.9), set back in Week 10 against the Carolina Panthers. No wonder his teammates are campaigning for him to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. "Trying to get Tyler that Rookie of the Year award," Chris Olave said with a grin during his postgame press conference. Rookie running back Devin Neal and others echoed the sentiment on social media, rallying fans behind their quarterback.
Shough, for his part, remains focused on the team’s goals. When asked about the possibility of winning the award, he responded, "I think that’s obviously a great achievement. I think that can be attained by finishing the season the right way, with getting the victory next week and then the week after that. So that’s all I’m focused on right now." It’s a mindset that’s permeated the Saints’ locker room—a group that, after a rocky start, has prioritized winning over individual accolades.
Head coach Kellen Moore, in his first year at the helm, has watched Shough develop into a leader and a playmaker. "What everyone just watched was two quarterbacks who are probably going to be big-time quarterbacks in our league for a really long time," Moore said after the game. "We’re fortunate to have Tyler." The Saints’ late-season surge has not only energized their fan base but also put the rest of the NFC South on notice. With one game left against the bitter rival Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans has a chance to finish the season with seven wins and real momentum heading into 2026.
Of course, the road hasn’t been without its bumps. Shough has taken 23 sacks in eight starts, and the Saints’ offensive line woes have been well documented. Still, his ability to bounce back from adversity, lead comeback drives, and elevate the play of those around him has inspired confidence throughout the organization. Running back Audric Estime summed it up best: Shough has a quality that makes teammates want to "run through a brick wall." Wide receiver Chris Olave even played through a back injury just to be on the field with his quarterback.
As the Saints look ahead, the future appears brighter than it has in years. After a decade of searching for their next franchise quarterback, New Orleans may have finally found their man in Tyler Shough. And with the Offensive Rookie of the Year race heating up—especially after Panthers receiver Tetairoa McMillain’s quiet week—Shough is firmly in the national spotlight. Many sportsbooks have even pulled their awards odds as the season nears its end, but few would be surprised if Shough’s name is called when the honors are handed out.
For now, the Saints and their fans can savor this moment. After years of uncertainty, they have hope, a leader under center, and a team that refuses to quit. "I love playing with these guys," Shough said postgame. "I feel like we could play a whole other season right now." And judging by his performance, Saints fans would gladly sign up for that.
