Tyler Shough’s rookie season with the New Orleans Saints did not begin with certainty or universal belief. Questions followed him from draft night through training camp, and even inside the Saints’ locker room, expectations were measured.
What unfolded over the second half of the season, however, forced a quiet but meaningful reassessment.
Cam Jordan Explains His Early Concerns About Tyler Shough’s Ability
Speaking on “Get Up,” Saints All-Pro defensive end Cam Jordan acknowledged that his first impression of Tyler Shough was cautious. Jordan explained that during training camp, Shough appeared talented but unfinished, someone who needed time before being trusted with the offense.
“In those games you saw something that could excite you. You saw something that could excite a fan base.”
Cam Jordan on Tyler Shough after his rookie season for the Saints pic.twitter.com/pLqsud4Ryl
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) January 15, 2026
“Had you had you asked me this in training camp… I’m like, oh, he needs some time to cook,” Jordan said, before describing how Shough’s performance shifted once he became the starter. Over the final nine games, Jordan noted that Shough showed traits capable of energizing both teammates and fans.
Jordan pointed to Shough’s mobility as an unexpected strength. While Spencer Rattler was viewed as the more naturally elusive quarterback, Shough proved capable of extending plays and escaping pressure.
Physically, Jordan initially saw Shough as a classic pocket passer, citing his size, arm strength, and ability to read defenses. What changed Jordan’s perspective was the steady progression. Each game built on the last, with Shough responding positively to adversity rather than shrinking from it.
One moment stood out. Against the Atlanta Falcons, Shough threw an interception that could have unraveled a rookie quarterback. Instead, Jordan recalled, Shough answered immediately with a scoring drive, even taking matters into his own hands near the goal line. That response, more than raw talent, solidified trust.
Outside the building, similar doubts existed. PFSN’s Caleb Yaccarino noted that Shough’s second-round selection was initially met with confusion. He was viewed as an older prospect with a limited ceiling. After losing the early quarterback battle to Rattler and sitting for half the season, expectations remained modest. Once Shough took over, that narrative flipped. According to Yaccarino, the Saints went from facing a potential quarterback crisis this offseason to prioritizing how to build around their young starter.
PFSN’s QB Impact metric further contextualized Shough’s rookie year. Shough posted a QB Impact Score of 73.9 across 11 appearances, including nine starts, aligning exactly with the league-average quarterback mark. He completed 221 of 327 passes for a 67.6 percent completion rate, again matching the positional average.
Shough ranked 23rd among qualifying quarterbacks for the season and 493rd overall among quarterbacks evaluated since 2000, earning a C grade that reflected steady, reliable play rather than volatility.
That consistency was reinforced by official recognition from the Saints. Shough was named a finalist for the 2025 NFL Rookie of the Year award after leading all rookie quarterbacks in completion percentage, ranking second in passing yards and passer rating, and setting multiple Saints rookie passing records. His Week 17 performance placed him in rare historical company.
Taken together, the evidence points to a clear arc. What began with internal concern evolved into trust, stability, and belief. By the end of the season, Shough was no longer a question mark but had become the foundation of the team.
