Editor’s notice: The Saints introduced Tuesday that they are going to begin rookie quarterback Tyler Shough towards the Los Angeles Rams in Week 9 Sunday. This story was initially printed on Aug. 4, 2025.
METAIRIE, La. — Tyler Shough has acquired a number of textual content messages of encouragement because the New Orleans Saints chosen him with the fortieth decide in April’s NFL draft.
Former Saints quarterback Drew Brees supplied help after Shough was drafted. One other message was from 76-year-old Archie Manning, who commonly reaches out to quarterbacks who attended the Manning Passing Academy.
Manning is among the few individuals who really understands the excessive expectations positioned on the rookie’s shoulders in New Orleans. Shough is the Saints’ earliest quarterback choice since Manning was picked No. 2 out of Ole Miss in 1971.
When New Orleans opens the season Sept. 7 towards the Arizona Cardinals, Shough might change into the seventh rookie quarterback to start out a recreation for the Saints, following teammate Spencer Rattler, who made his debut final season when Derek Carr was injured.
And if Shough wins the competitors with Rattler and Jake Haener, he’ll buck conference in different methods. Shough, who turns 26 on Sept. 28, is the oldest rookie within the draft class, and he arrives in New Orleans after seven faculty seasons spent at three universities (Oregon, Texas Tech and Louisville). He performed via three main accidents (two of which ended his seasons in 2021 and 2023) and the COVID-19 pandemic.
If Shough feels the load of NFL expectations, he would not present it.
He mentioned it might be straightforward to check himself to friends resembling Brock Purdy, a former highschool competitor in Chandler, Arizona, who’s going into his fourth season with the San Francisco 49ers. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence and the New York Jets’ Justin Fields, 2021 first-round picks, have been additionally faculty freshmen concurrently Shough, and are examples he cited as comparable quarterbacks who had early success.
“Who is aware of who I’d be or the place I’d be if all the pieces had labored out [differently],” Shough mentioned. “It labored out the way in which it was alleged to as a result of now I am in [this] alternative with an important staff and type of a contemporary begin with a brand new employees.”
Shough, who celebrated his one-year anniversary with spouse Jordan in April, mentioned he’s settled at this level in his life.
Now he simply desires an opportunity.
“That is why I really feel so, a lot extra prepared to return into this example and due to these earlier experiences, simply understanding what it seems like from a failure perspective, from having success, making an attempt to earn the respect of your teammates and simply being in a brand new metropolis,” he advised ESPN throughout an unique interview this summer time.
“It is sensible why some guys do not final that lengthy. … Some issues are out of your management, however you have to be ready for change.”
AFTER TWO SEASONS of backing up Justin Herbert at Oregon and one pandemic-shortened yr in 2020, he entered the switch portal in February 2021, enrolling at Texas Tech, the place he handled important accidents for the primary time in his profession.
He broke his collarbone 4 video games into the 2021 season (lacking the remainder of the yr), after which rebroke it within the 2022 opener. He got here again for the ultimate 5 video games of the 2022 common season and was named MVP of the Texas Bowl after a 42-25 win towards Ole Miss.
Shough mentioned seeing then-fiancée Jordan, who performed soccer at Oregon the place they met, and his household after that win was considered one of his finest faculty reminiscences.
“It was a variety of feelings as a result of all the pieces that [happened] … like, ‘Man, you caught it out and also you noticed some good come out of it,'” Shough mentioned.
The highs of that second made the next yr tougher to bear. 4 video games into the 2023 season, Shough was carted off the sector with an air forged on after a hip-drop deal with by a West Virginia defender resulted in a damaged fibula.
“It was simply a variety of true ups and downs to the place at that time you type of perceive, ‘Man, my time right here might be achieved at Texas Tech,'” Shough mentioned.
Jordan mentioned the accidents have been “emotionally draining” on Shough, however he saved perspective throughout the therapeutic course of. Jordan mentioned he’d present as much as the center college the place she taught and coached a number of sports activities, usually bringing her lunch and inspiring her college students.
“He would present as much as their video games and are available to their practices … with me and simply do something and all the pieces that he may very well be at, which was tremendous particular for them as a result of he was type of this particular person on this neighborhood at that time,” Jordan mentioned. “… It was cool for the 12-year-old boys to see this man that they appeared as much as deal with girls actually respectfully … come and assist out and discuss how he could be goofy, and he could make enjoyable of himself, and it is OK.”
Regardless of the uncertainty round his soccer future, Shough would inform Jordan issues have been going to be all proper. “Jordan, that is going to work out,” he would say.
“It was simply not even a query of, ‘If I am ever going to play soccer once more.’ He was identical to, ‘That is what I really like, that is what I will do. I do know it will work out.’ … He simply has this type of unwavering sense of self about him that’s fairly outstanding,” Jordan mentioned.
Maintaining his dream alive meant contemplating one other college and one other transfer, and Shough puzzled if he wanted a backup plan. Texas Tech’s then-offensive coordinator, Zach Kittley, supplied to have him be a part of the teaching employees if he was prepared to surrender taking part in.
However others advised him he ought to enter the NFL draft instantly.
“You will get signed or picked up. You are sensible, you bought arm, however you are too previous. You are not going to extend your draft inventory,” Shough recalled being advised by some critics.
Landry Klann, Shough’s coach at QB Nation, a quarterback coaching and growth firm, was amongst those that noticed the advantages of one other collegiate season.
“He was one of many guys that simply believed in me,” Shough mentioned. “He was like, ‘Screw that: When you do not play nicely otherwise you get damage, then you are going to be in the identical scenario you at the moment are, which is ok. You will get a possibility, however in the event you play good then you are going to enhance your possibilities.'”
Shough entered the switch portal for the second time and signed with Louisville for his last faculty season. He began all 12 video games for the Cardinals and set profession highs for passing touchdowns (23) and passing yards (3,195) earlier than happening to play within the Senior Bowl, take part within the NFL scouting mix and listen to his identify referred to as on Day 2 of the draft.
That seventh season of faculty grew to become a yr of appreciation for Shough.
“I had that perspective of simply gratitude to be on this place, and it type of lit a fireplace beneath me,” Shough mentioned. “I need to give all the pieces I can to the town of New Orleans and my teammates as a result of I do know what I’ve to supply, and I need to go on the market and work my butt off.”
TYLER WAS BORN right into a household of sports activities fanatics. His dad and mom, Dana and Glenn, each performed three sports activities rising up; his older sisters have been highschool athletes; and his youthful brother, Brady, performed soccer as nicely.
Dana advised ESPN that Tyler was “born with a ball in his palms.” Tyler and Brady spent their summers taking part in a number of sports activities.
“You are working for six hours of baseball, then an hour with soccer, and you then need to come residence and also you need to do extra sports activities,” Brady advised ESPN. “And so, it is simply to indicate that he is prepared to do something and all the pieces. … Trying again on it now, it type of simply exhibits that he is actually the identical approach now.”
Tyler credit his dad and mom for his strategy on life. Dana was identified with Stage 4 metastatic breast most cancers in 2006 and was given a terminal prognosis of 9 months, however as of January, it will be 20 years since her most cancers prognosis.
Tyler mentioned the way in which his dad and mom dealt with that difficult time taught him find out how to handle his personal struggles in a while.
“Simply a variety of stuff the place you are feeling prefer it’s out of your management, however trusting in God and his plan for you, and I believe that was actually, it confirmed me quite a bit on the younger age the place life’s going to occur, and you bought to answer it as a result of it will, the way you reply goes to dictate greater than about your individual habits and the folks round you. … It type of paralleled what I’d undergo later in my life,” Tyler mentioned.
Shough to Jacobson for the TD 🙌 pic.twitter.com/DSUNshiYvP
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 3, 2025
Dana emphasised that 2006 was “most likely the toughest yr of our lives,” however recalled a chat that she had with Tyler’s father on the time — they used their village to indicate their youngsters find out how to deal with adversity.
“I had family and friends that stepped up and helped out, and I used to be so appreciative. So Tyler received to see that too, that it isn’t simply you going via it,” Dana mentioned.
“What he went via [with the injuries], his canine helped him; his spouse, Jordan, helped him; his prolonged household; and his teammates; and the trainers. It takes a village generally to get via stuff, however … I really feel like I am a greater particular person. I really feel like Tyler is a greater particular person. As a mother, would I would like him to undergo all that? No. However I believe it was meant to be.”
By the point Tyler entered highschool in 2014, these round him thought of him an “previous soul” past his years.
In his senior yr at Hamilton Excessive Faculty, head soccer coach Steve Belles was faraway from his place within the spring on account of a hazing scandal.
Dick Baniszewski stepped in as interim coach for a season, leaning on Tyler and staff leaders to get them via the autumn. With the media highlight on the staff within the wake of the scandal, Baniszewski emphasised that they might not afford to make any off-the-field errors.
When he conveyed that sentiment, Tyler responded: “I am with you coach, I will make everybody perceive.”
“Everyone anticipated Hamilton to not do good that yr, and we had an important season, and it was actually quite a bit as a result of we had a child like Tyler who I might speak in confidence to, and he was past his years to have the ability to convey [my message] to the youngsters,” Baniszewski mentioned.
The staff completed 8-4 and misplaced within the 6A quarterfinals. Tyler signed with Oregon in December following the 2017 season, enrolling that January after graduating highschool in 3½ years.
By way of all of the adversity for Tyler and his household, Dana remembers a life lesson that also applies for her youngsters immediately.
“When stuff will get powerful, that is while you received to dig deep and get some grit. A fighter’s mentality as we name it,” Dana mentioned.
JORDAN URGES ANYONE who will pay attention to not mistake Tyler’s gratitude or sense of self for complacency — he desires the Saints’ No. 1 quarterback job.
“Typically folks hear it too and so they’re identical to, ‘Oh, do you simply not need it unhealthy sufficient?’ And it is like, ‘No.’ It is like we’re nonetheless going to battle to the loss of life to make this work,” Jordan mentioned. “We would like this greater than something.”
Up to now, Tyler has achieved all the appropriate issues.
With Jordan’s encouragement, he flew to New Orleans nearly as quickly because the draft resulted in April, aspiring to get to know his teammates immediately. He took recommendation on native eating places to eat his first meal (at Drago’s Seafood Restaurant) within the metropolis and joked to reporters that he had already popped a tire in a New Orleans pothole.
“I really feel like I’ve received absolutely ingrained already,” he quipped in Could.
Tyler mentioned he sees Brees as somebody he’d wish to emulate, a quarterback who had success however has additionally imprinted an indelible mark on the New Orleans neighborhood.
Tyler began understanding at Tulane with a number of teammates previous to rookie minicamp, with injured tight finish Foster Moreau working as a long-snapper. He shortly linked with tight finish Juwan Johnson, a former teammate at Oregon, who he mentioned has been like an enormous brother to him.
“I’ve lived it now with him for just a few years, and I perceive how necessary the relationships exterior of the soccer facility are,” Jordan mentioned.
Tyler mentioned Johnson, an undrafted rookie in 2020 who switched positions within the NFL, was additionally the type of particular person he needed to mould himself after.
“As soon as I first received right here … he arrange a variety of occasions and invited me to return to dinner with the tight ends or going to a film or hanging with [him and] his spouse,” Tyler mentioned. “Numerous that stuff appears small, nevertheless it’s actually huge in terms of being round folks.”
Tyler additionally reached out to veteran extensive receiver Brandin Cooks, who approached him and a bunch of teammates, which included Rashid Shaheed and Chris Olave, to work out in Oregon for 3 days throughout the offseason. Tyler designed the throwing scripts for the classes, and of their downtime, everybody went to the lake.
“Clearly, it is necessary to be collectively contained in the constructing, however when you may present that brotherhood, that camaraderie exterior the constructing, I believe that exhibits that you just care about each other,” Cooks mentioned.
TYLER KNOWS THERE aren’t any ensures of success within the NFL. Even along with his second-round draft standing, he’ll should put collectively persistently good days of practices to win the beginning function. Because the third week of camp begins, not one of the quarterbacks has separated from the pack, though Shough appeared to have his finest day in an intrasquad scrimmage Sunday.
“Everybody desires to be on the market on Sundays as a beginning quarterback within the NFL,” Saints coach Kellen Moore mentioned. “That is each quarterback’s aim and dream, and that ought to be it. Finally, one’s going to play.”
All of them have one thing to show: Rattler desires his first NFL win after going 0-6 as a starter filling in for an injured Carr in a season wherein coach Dennis Allen received fired. Haener desires to wipe away a disastrous begin the place he received pulled for Rattler in a 20-19 loss to the Washington Commanders. Wanting it will not merely be sufficient.
The Saints’ three preseason video games will go an extended technique to figuring out who is able to be an NFL starter. And Shough mentioned he loves the work course of and the nitty-gritty of placing a recreation plan collectively.
Jordan joked that the couple has watched each YouTube video “in existence” of defensive coverages or throwing mechanics from quarterbacks resembling Tom Brady, Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers.
“When you fall in love with every day of going into work and having enjoyable with that, then normally the outcomes are good,” Tyler mentioned. “The vast majority of my profession. I used to be rehabbing and understanding and recreation planning off the sector, and I type of fell in love with that.”
And once they need to get away from soccer, they’ve immersed themselves locally, taking their golden retriever, Murphy, who grew to become a celeb after making the draft-night protection, on lengthy walks. Jordan mentioned their neighbors have been “superb,” bringing them meals and hurricane preparation packets.
If issues work out in New Orleans long run, Tyler mentioned he’d love to search out methods to present again, noting that veteran defensive finish Cameron Jordan set a “very straightforward blueprint to comply with.”
Ideally, he’d love to assist animals, too, Tyler mentioned.
“Particularly as a result of seeing how a lot Murphy has benefited us,” Tyler mentioned. “We have talked about it. It is like if we get to a second contract or one thing like that, we need to open up a pet lodge or canine shelter. I do not care if it would not make any cash or a single cent. That is actually cool.” He added with a smile: “Shough’s Shelter or one thing like that.”
Sooner or later the Saints will select from Shough, Rattler and Haener. If Shough is not the winner this season, he will not surrender anytime quickly. It’s going to be only one extra hurdle to beat in what has already been an extended journey.
“I simply need to be referred to as a man that labored laborious and was dude within the locker room,” he mentioned. “I’ve had a variety of completely different hats on my head so far as a starter, a backup, an injured man, underdog or no matter. … I believe the best factor that I’ve type of hung my very own hat on is simply being an important teammate and an important particular person and figuring out that I am not good, however any approach I can, simply have enjoyable and be of service to folks.
“I need to have success on the sector, however in the event you ask my teammates what they consider me, their response is what I care about, and that simply comes with time and being who you might be each day.”