Saints Divided on 2025 MVP: Young, Shough, Davis Shine

New Orleans Saints players each made a compelling case for team MVP in 2025.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 5:07pm

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The New Orleans Saints had a split decision on their 2025 team MVP, with defensive end Chase Young, quarterback Tyler Shough, and linebacker Demario Davis each making a strong case. Young dominated after returning from injury, Shough helped turn the season around, and Davis anchored the defense through a tough year.

Why it matters

The Saints have been searching for their next franchise quarterback since Drew Brees retired, and Shough's emergence has provided hope. Meanwhile, Young and Davis are cornerstones of the defense who helped keep the team competitive despite a difficult start to the season.

The details

After missing the first five games with injury, Chase Young had a dominant second half of the season, recording 10 sacks, 15 QB hits, 30 pressures, 11 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles, and a defensive touchdown. Tyler Shough took over as starting QB midway through the year and led the team to 5 wins in his 9 starts, completely changing the trajectory of the season. Demario Davis put together another stellar season, anchoring the defense and keeping the team together despite their early struggles.

  • Young missed the first 5 games of the 2025 season with an injury.
  • Shough took over as the starting QB midway through the 2025 season.
  • Davis played a full 2025 season for the Saints.

The players

Chase Young

A 26-year-old defensive end who had a dominant second half of the 2025 season for the Saints after returning from injury.

Tyler Shough

The Saints' starting quarterback for the second half of the 2025 season, helping turn the team's fortunes around.

Demario Davis

A veteran linebacker who anchored the Saints' defense throughout the 2025 season.

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What they’re saying

“After missing the first five games with injury, Chase Young quickly solidified himself as the Saints best defensive player and most valuable player. In the last 12 games, Young had 10 sacks, 15 QB hits, 30 pressures, 11 tackles for loss, and 3 tipped passes. He also forced 2 fumbles while recovering 3 others, returning one for a touchdown. Young, just 26, had the best numbers of his career and was a defensive force.”

— Bob Rose (Yahoo Sports)

“An easy selection for me. When we talk about 'most valuable,' it's the player who directly impacts wins, and no one fit that definition better than Shough. After a 1-8 start, he helped lead the team to five wins in his nine starts and completely changed the trajectory of the season.”

— Luke Loffredo (Yahoo Sports)

“The Saints have been looking for their next franchise quarterback since Drew Brees retired, and the search has been absolutely no dice. While time will tell if he can stay consistent, Shough has shown a lot of promise and has given New Orleans plenty of reason for optimism between the impact he's made through the air and on the ground.”

— Crissy Froyd (Yahoo Sports)

The takeaway

The Saints' 2025 MVP race highlights the team's depth of talent, with key contributors on both offense and defense making strong cases. While the final decision may remain divided, the emergence of players like Young, Shough, and Davis provides optimism for the Saints' future.