Saints' Rookie QB Shough Earns Praise for Turnaround Season

Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore sees long-term potential in young passer's development

Apr. 12, 2026 at 12:37pm

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A cubist, geometric illustration depicting a Saints quarterback in the process of dropping back to pass, with the figure broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of navy blue, gold, and white.The Saints' investment in quarterback Tyler Shough's development signals a shift in the NFL towards long-term talent cultivation over short-term results.New Orleans Today

The New Orleans Saints' 2025 season was marked by a transition at quarterback, as rookie Tyler Shough took over the starting role midway through the year and helped lead the team to a surprising late-season surge. Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore has praised Shough's poise, decision-making, and commitment to improving, seeing the young passer as a key part of the franchise's long-term plans.

Why it matters

The Saints' ability to develop Shough into a reliable starter could be crucial for the team's future competitiveness, as they look to build a sustainable model for success centered around a quarterback with the right combination of physical tools and mental maturity.

The details

After starting the season as the backup to Spencer Rattler, Shough was forced into action midway through the year and helped the Saints win 5 of their final 9 games. Moore highlighted Shough's ability to quickly process information and make sound decisions even when the pocket broke down, a sign of the young QB's growth. The coaching staff believes that with a full offseason of reps with the first-team offense, Shough could take another step forward and solidify himself as the Saints' quarterback of the future.

  • Shough took over as the Saints' starting QB midway through the 2025 season.
  • The Saints finished the 2025 season with a 5-4 record in Shough's 9 starts.

The players

Tyler Shough

The Saints' rookie quarterback who took over the starting job midway through the 2025 season and helped lead the team to a late-season surge.

Kellen Moore

The Saints' offensive coordinator, who has praised Shough's development and sees the young QB as a key part of the franchise's long-term plans.

Spencer Rattler

The Saints' starting quarterback to begin the 2025 season, before Shough took over the role.

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What they’re saying

“What makes this situation fascinating is not merely that the Saints won five of nine after Shough took over, but how that surge reframed expectations.”

— Kellen Moore, Offensive Coordinator

“The coaching staff's praise of Shough's poise and decision-making when breakdowns occur isn't mere coaching talk. It signals a shift from counting plays to evaluating how a quarterback processes chaos.”

— Kellen Moore, Offensive Coordinator

What’s next

If Shough continues to develop and earn the starting job with a strong offseason, the Saints will look to build their offense around him and establish a sustainable model for quarterback development within the organization.

The takeaway

The Saints' handling of their quarterback situation in 2025, with rookie Tyler Shough emerging as a potential long-term solution, demonstrates the value of patience and a focus on player development over immediate results. This approach could pay dividends for the franchise in the years to come.