The New Orleans Saints hit the ground running at the start of free agency, agreeing to terms with six players in just two days. Per head coach Kellen Moore, quarterback Tyler Shough deserves some credit.
Moore said that having Shough in the position he's in certainly gives a person a lot of confidence. "It gives a much cleaner look for players when they're looking at this place and say, 'okay what's this opportunity going to look like?'" Moore told the media. "It's an important aspect...I think he does a really good job of connecting with players throughout this organization; he connects with the community really well, and that naturally goes throughout the league. People talk."
Moore and the Saints certainly set their goal this offseason to build around Shough, as half of their signings so far have been on the offensive side of the ball. The signing of interior offensive lineman David Edwards in particular, which will cost them $61 million over the next four years, shows the belief the team has in him. Champion of Super Bowl LVI, the former Buffalo Bills guard was one of the top free agents available.
Saints' QB Tyler Shough was one of the best rookies last year
Tyler Shough took the league by storm last season, breaking numerous team records while starting just nine games last season. He nearly won rookie of the year to finish it off, though he fell just short, placing second behind Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.
That's the type of player other players want to play with. Robert Hunt is comparing Shough to Josh Allen. It was only half a season, but you begin to hear how Shough's peers speak about him. It's hard to not be excited. It makes sense that free agents would want to come to New Orleans because of it. He's a young quarterback on an ascending team. It's logical that teams would want to be a part of the movement.
Shough's influence doesn't only exist with his fellow NFL players. It's also spread back to the college level, with Ohio State wide receiver and top draft prospect Carnell Tate bringing up Shough as one of the quarterbacks that he'd love to play for. "Tyler's been balling," Tate said unprompted. "At the back end of the season, he was balling."