Avoiding being ranked in the 10 worst of anything typically isn't a reason for celebration unless you are freshly out of the gutter. The New Orleans Saints were there less than a year ago. After the year Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler put together, the Saints have some comfort at the position.
Bleacher Report's Brad Gagnon put together a list of the NFL's worst quarterback situations in the NFL. Derek Carr's abrupt retirement would have catupulted the Saints near the top of these rankings before the season. The Saints are nowhere to be found because the question shifted from do they have a quarterback to how good can Shough be.
The Saints absence on the list is likely 90% because of Shough, but Rattler deserves a little shine as well. Gagnon's analysis for each team revolved around the starter, so he likely wouldn't have considered Rattler when thinking about if the Saints should make the list. However, he does strengthen the room as a backup enough to warrant a mention.
Tyler Shough's growth is represented by Saints' lack of inclusion
Having a second year quarterback doesn't disqualify a team from the list. The Titans and Browns are both represented despite drafting rookies in the 2025 NFL Draft. Cam Ward finished the season strong, but Gagnon wasn't convinced. Shough's fierce finish at least gets them out of the basement.
There was so much skepticism around Shough before he even heard his name called in the NFL Draft. The most common clip shown as a showcase of the quarterback's talent was his terrible throw at the NFL Scouting Combine. It was without a doubt a horrendous rep, but Saints fans didn't see many throws like it during the season.
The throw mixed with his age and injury history had fans looking at Shough extremely pessimistically. On top of everything, he was the first quarterback fans questioned being drafted ahead of Shedeur Sanders. Shough was receiving the criticism from all angles.
A year later and he's generated the most optimism among the rookie quarterbacks. Shough is going to have to capitalize on a successful rookie year and sustain the momentum. Otherwise, the questions will only resurface. For now, Saints fans can revel in the potential.
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