The New Orleans Saints drafted Tyler Shough with purpose and patience. They used a top half second round pick on him because coach Kellen Moore saw starter upside.
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Nov 9, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) looks on during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
The early depth chart told a different story when Spencer Rattler held onto the job in training camp. That outcome forced a rethink inside the building.
New Orleans moved Shough into action after a two-month evaluation. Hestarted against the Buccaneers and then drew starts versus the Rams and the Panthers.
The 26-year-old helped the team win in Carolina, and that moment offered a small proof point. His 2025 Total QBRstands at 48.2 and the number does not qualify yet it would be 23rd of 34 QBs. That stat sits beside other contract facts that shape his role.
His 2026 cash sits at $1.3 million and that money is guaranteed. The contract also contains future guarantees of $1.8 million in 2027 and $2.3 million in 2028.
The structure allowed Shough to benefit from the push to secure fully guaranteed deals for second-rounders. ESPN’s senior analyst Bill Barnwell notes that five point four million dollars remains on his contract and that figure is already locked in. That guarantee creates certainty for the player and a constraint for the team.
The coaching staff will review the tape and count reps with close attention to detail. The evaluation window remains open through the rest of the year.
The Saints could find themselves with a top pick in the draft and an option to add a first-round passer. The team has drafted similar profiles in the past and then sought new answers soon after. That history sits behind how the front office thinks about future plans.
Shough earned the chance to stay on the roster because the team saw traits that matter. He won a game and he handled starts. That is not the same as a long-term, settled job.
The coming weeks will reveal whether he can turn a brief spark into sustained trust. The staff will value clarity and performance when they write their end-of-season report.
Tyler Shough’s Future Hinges on New Orleans Saints’ Draft Slot as QB Decisions Loom
If the Saints land a top pick then a new quarterback becomes possible. Barnwell believes that the team could be in a position to draft another passer at the top of the first round. That path would change Shough’s options.
The ESPN analyst also notes a 10.3 percent chance from FPI of landing that top pick. If New Orleans does not secure that pick then the team will likely keep Shough on the roster.
The player remains under contract and the money guarantees make him a known quantity. He will be on the roster as expected by Barnwell. He could emerge as the clear starter or he could remain a backup or something in between.
The decision rests on tape performance and on how the draft shapes the team’s choices. The final answer will be available after the season and after the team has completed its evaluation.