The New Orleans Saints traded away wide receiver Rashid Shaheed before the NFL’s trade deadline, getting a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2026 fifth-round pick in return. The deal was overshadowed by a few other massive moves around the league on deadline day, but it is a clear indicator of how the Saints’ front office feels about the current state of the team and rookie quarterback Tyler Shough.
Shough is currently going through a nine game evaluation to prove he's the Saints' future starting quarterback. He'll have to prove it in eight of those games without his second best receiver.
If this trade is any indication, New Orleans might not have the highest opinion of the young QB.
Rashid Shaheed trade makes Saints’ stance on Tyler Shough crystal clear
When the Saints drafted the former Louisville quarterback with their second-round pick this offseason, it was assumed that he would step in as the team’s starter. Almost immediately, the narrative started to shift. Spencer Rattler began the season as the starting QB and held the position for nearly half the year. Seemingly reluctant to make the switch, head coach Kellen Moore finally made Shough the starter eight weeks into the season. He had a decent showing in his first game as the starter and will reportedly keep his spot for the remainder of the season.
With just one full game under his belt, the Saints have already shipped one of the young quarterback’s best weapons away. Shaheed was rumored to be available for weeks, though New Orleans set a high asking price for him. When the Seahawks finally pulled off the trade, it didn’t come as a shock to many fans.
Still, the move says a great deal about what the Saints think of Shough. When a franchise finds its quarterback of the future, they typically focus on surrounding him with as much talent as possible to ensure his immediate success. This move works in the opposite direction, taking away from the little support the rookie already had in this offense. With barely any weapons at his disposal, Shough is now set up to fail throughout the rest of the season.
This could be a sign that the Saints are already planning on looking for a new quarterback come next offseason. There are a few talented prospects expected to be available in the 2026 NFL Draft, and New Orleans should be among the first team selecting. This franchise is finally starting to rebuild, but it looks like that process will not be centered around Shough’s development.