The New Orleans Saints made a calculated gamble in the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough in the second round with the 40th overall pick, as reported by ESPN’s Katherine Terrell on April 26, 2025. Despite Shough’s injury-plagued college career and his age—turning 26 in September 2025—the Saints saw him as a potential Week 1 starter for the upcoming season, especially with veteran quarterback Derek Carr’s uncertain status due to a shoulder injury. First-year head coach Kellen Moore, the NFL’s youngest head coach at 36, played a pivotal role in the decision, embracing Shough’s maturity and pro-ready skill set to lead a team in transition.
Shough’s college tenure was marred by injuries, a factor that had some analysts projecting him as a first-round pick while others questioned his durability. At Texas Tech from 2018 to 2020, he broke his collarbone twice—in 2019 against Arizona and in 2020 against Texas—limiting him to 11 starts over three seasons. After transferring to Louisville in 2021, he suffered a broken fibula in 2023 against NC State, sidelining him for 5 games. Despite these setbacks, Shough showed resilience in 2024, starting 12 games for the Cardinals and throwing for 3,195 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions with a 67.8% completion rate, per Louisville Athletics. His performance earned him a Senior Bowl invite, where Saints assistant offensive line and running backs coach Joel Thomas scouted him, and a strong showing at Louisville’s Pro Day on March 27, 2025, where quarterbacks coach Scott Tolzien spent an entire day evaluating him. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah called Shough “the most pro-ready quarterback in this class” in his final mock draft on April 24, citing his command of the pocket and ability to process defenses, despite his injury history.
The Saints’ interest in Shough was no secret. Terrell noted that Moore and his staff invested significant time in the quarterback, including a pre-draft visit to New Orleans’ facility and extensive meetings at the Senior Bowl and Pro Day. This thorough evaluation process convinced the Saints to act decisively at pick No. 40, unwilling to risk losing him to teams like the New York Jets, who, according to a report from The Athletic on April 24, were considering Shough at No. 42 despite signing Justin Fields in free agency. “The Saints didn’t just ignore those issues—they actually embraced them,” Terrell wrote, highlighting how Shough’s maturity appealed to a franchise navigating a coaching change and quarterback uncertainty. At 26, Shough brings a level of experience rare for a rookie, having played 36 college games across seven seasons, a trait Moore valued for a team looking to stabilize its offense.
The Saints’ quarterback situation is murky, with Derek Carr’s shoulder injury casting doubt on his availability for 2025. Carr, who missed 7 games in 2024 due to oblique and hand injuries, confirmed during a church service on April 27 that he has “an MRI report to prove” his latest shoulder setback, which ESPN reported on April 12 could sideline him for part of the upcoming season. On April 28, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer added that Carr, now 34, might “opt for surgery,” a decision that could further delay his return. Carr’s history with shoulder issues—he sprained his AC joint in 2023—only heightens the uncertainty, making Shough’s arrival timely. If Carr is sidelined, Shough will compete with 2024 fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler for the starting job. Rattler, who started 5 games in 2024 with a 59.2% completion rate, 1,312 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions, per Pro Football Reference, has shown flashes but lacks the pedigree Shough brings as Moore’s hand-picked prospect.
Moore, hired in January 2025 after serving as the Eagles’ offensive coordinator, has a track record of tailoring offenses to his quarterbacks’ strengths, having worked with Dak Prescott, Justin Herbert, and Jalen Hurts. NOLA.com’s Jeff Duncan reported on April 26 that Moore sees Shough as a fit for his system, valuing his 6-foot-5, 230-pound frame, arm strength (he averaged 8.3 yards per attempt in 2024), and ability to handle complex playbooks. Shough, speaking after his selection, told Terrell, “My only goal for now is to compete and help the team in any way I can,” a mindset that aligns with the Saints’ need for stability after a 9-8 season in 2024 that missed the playoffs.
The Saints’ decision to draft Shough reflects a broader strategy to rejuvenate the roster, with Moore prioritizing a quarterback he can develop over relying on Rattler, a holdover from the previous regime. Shough’s injury history—three major setbacks in college—remains a concern, but his 2024 season at Louisville, where he stayed healthy for 12 starts, offers hope. If he can win the starting job, Shough could provide the Saints with a long-term answer at quarterback, potentially sparing them from another offseason of uncertainty. For now, as New Orleans prepares for OTAs in May 2025, all eyes will be on Shough’s competition with Rattler and whether he can translate his pro-ready label into on-field success for a franchise eager to return to contention.
