Tyler Shough may have been the third quarterback drafted in last year’s draft, but he looked like the best once the New Orleans Saints put him in the starting lineup. That nine game stretch as a starter may have opened some eyes, but the Detroit Lions were never sleep on Shough’s talent. Matter of fact, defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard said he believes offensive coordinator Mark Brunell has Shough as the best quarterback going into the draft.
There’s still debate about who is the best a year into their career, but if more people viewed Shough in that group in April 2025, there would many people more comfortable saying he’s the best in September 2026. Perception is irrelevant though, and don’t expect the Lions to fall into the trap of chalking up Shough’s late season success to an easy schedule.
#Lions DC Kelvin Sheppard said the staff was super high on #Saints QB Tyler Shough in the 2025 draft.
— Nolan Bianchi (@nolanbianchi) September 10, 2026
If he recalls correctly, Mark Brunell had him ranked No. 1 among the QB class.
“I see it.” pic.twitter.com/TTSGx9Lh1S
Tyler Shough can prove Kelvin Sheppard right by beating the Lions
It’s high praise from a Week 1 opponent, and it’s also more proof of the expectations Shough needs to live up to in Year 2. Sheppard doesn’t make those comments if Shough didn’t justify their pre-draft beliefs in his rookie year. The Lions defensive coordinator actually starts his comment by calling Shough a phenomenal prospect in the current moment before he reflects on how the team viewed the quarterback a year ago.
Fans, players and coaches around the league took notice of what Shough did at the end of the season. His performance was strong enough to finish as the Offensive Rookie of the Year runner up, despite not playing an entire season. That’ll put more eyes on you, and at the same time, the Saints put more talent around him.
The team will be without top-10 pick Jordyn Tyson to start the year. It was probably the Saints’ splashiest move, but Shough will still have the additions of Travis Etienne Jr. and David Edwards on offense. Chris Olave doesn’t fall in the new category, but he was going to be the team’s top receiver regardless.
The expectation is for Shough to build on a rookie year, which is no different than most young quarterbacks going into their second season. Where his pressure does become different is Shough also is trying to prove to his doubters that last year wasn’t a fluke.
Shough isn’t given the benefit of the doubt by many simply because he was a second round pick rather than a first rounder, so he’s still shooting to prove he’s the Saints starting quarterback. Many Saints fans are already believers because those who watched him saw what he did with what he was working with, and this year is about proving the fans correct.
The first step on that journey is going through a coach who just said Shough was the best in his class. The Lions eyes are fully open to what Shough can do, as is the rest of the league. That’s the biggest difference between his rookie year and this season.
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