During the 2025 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints selected quarterback Tyler Shough with the 40th-overall pick. It was a pivotal moment in the draft, and the selection was immediately considered a controversial pick. Fans, analysts, and players were quick to point out Shough’s age, injury history, and that he wasn’t the highest-rated available quarterback.
However, the Saints believed he was the best fit for them, and that everyone will eventually see why the team liked him as a prospect. While he certainly has some tools and upside, some are still concerned about his fit in New Orleans under new head coach Kellen Moore. Former Saints quarterback Chase Daniel posed that question in a recent episode of The Facility.
Daniel graded the fit of six rookie quarterbacks to their new teams and he gave Shough to the Saints a B grade. He admitted he was easy on the grade but that the fit is actually more questionable than the letter gives off.
Grading the fit of Rookie QB’s:
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) April 29, 2025
Cam Ward: A+
Jaxson Dart: ___
Tyler Shough: B
Jalen Milroe: A
Will Howard: D
Shedeur Sanders: ___ pic.twitter.com/KDCxIyxZAa
Chase Daniel doesn’t know if Tyler Shough is a good fit for Kellen Moore and the Saints
According to Chase Daniel, Shough is an interesting prospect because he has good footwork and the ball jumps off his hand, but he’ll turn 26 in September. Considering his style as a whole, Daniel wasn’t sure how he’ll fit into what Moore likes to do offensively.
The former quarterback didn’t explain what Shough does or doesn’t do, but he detailed how Moore’s system is one that wants to run the ball, and will require the quarterback to be an under center, play-action style quarterback.
While Daniel may be concerned, New Orleans clearly isn’t, because it drafted him with several other quarterbacks on the board. Shough is officially Moore’s first drafted quarterback, and the only current quarterback on the Saints roster that Moore had input in selecting. Obviously, he and the team see something they like.
It’ll be up to Moore and Shough to show what that is in the future. As everyone consistently points out, the quarterback will be 26 as a rookie, so he doesn’t have much time to wait around, and he probably won’t have to. With Derek Carr’s shoulder injury still a mystery, QB1 in New Orleans could come down to Shough and Spencer Rattler.