Drew Brees Gives Ringing Endorsement of Saints QB Tyler Shough

Legendary QB sees bright future for New Orleans' young signal-caller

Feb. 22, 2026 at 12:27am

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Legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, recently announced as a first-ballot Hall of Famer, has given his stamp of approval to the franchise's future in quarterback Tyler Shough. Brees spoke highly of Shough's maturity, athleticism, and ability to make plays with both his arm and legs, comparing him to Josh Allen and Justin Herbert. The Saints are hoping Shough can build on his strong rookie season and help the team take control of a wide-open NFC South in 2026.

Why it matters

Brees is considered one of the greatest quarterbacks in Saints history, so his endorsement of Shough carries significant weight. The Saints are looking to transition to a new era at the position, and Shough's development will be crucial to the team's success going forward.

The details

In his rookie season, Shough threw for at least 270 yards and one touchdown in each of his last four games. He also showed his athleticism, rushing for 186 yards and three touchdowns on 45 carries. Brees praised Shough's maturity, toughness, and ability to make plays both in and out of the pocket, comparing him to Josh Allen and Justin Herbert.

  • Brees was recently announced as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
  • Shough finished the 2025 season strong, throwing for at least 270 yards and one touchdown in each of his last four games.
  • The Saints will look to carry their end-of-season momentum into the 2026 season.

The players

Drew Brees

Legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback and first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Tyler Shough

The Saints' young quarterback who had a standout rookie season in 2025, showing promise as the franchise's potential future at the position.

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What they’re saying

“The biggest thing I noticed, and this comes from talking with him as well, is there is a level of maturity for a young guy. Having seven years in college with the injuries helped him develop toughness and a sense of gratitude. … What I see is a big, tall athlete who can make all the throws.”

— Drew Brees (Bleacher Report)

“That opens up a lot of opportunities for him. He's also got a pretty calm demeanor about him; the moment isn't too big for him.”

— Drew Brees (Bleacher Report)

What’s next

The Saints will look to build on Shough's strong rookie season and capitalize on a wide-open NFC South in 2026.

The takeaway

Brees' endorsement of Shough as the Saints' future quarterback is a significant vote of confidence in the young signal-caller. If Shough can continue to develop and build on his promising rookie campaign, the Saints could be poised to reclaim their spot atop the NFC South in the coming years.