New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough is coming off an impressive rookie campaign that saw him take the league by storm and earn Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. He completed 67.6% of his passes while throwing for 2,384 yards and accounting for 13 total touchdowns, establishing himself as an up and coming quarterback in the league.
Shough accomplished this feat starting only 9 games after taking over as the starter midseason. He helped lead the Saints to an impressive an unexpected turnaround, finishing with a 5-4 record. He has given the franchise a new sense of direction in such a short time, with the Saints now entering 2026 with expectations of competing for something meaningful.
The NFL has seen countless examples of quarterbacks who shine in their rookie seasons before taking a step back in year two. Sophomore slumps usually happen because defensive coordinators have an entire offseason to study film, identify tendencies, and put together a game plan designed to exploit a young quarterback's weakness. To avoid a sophomore slump, New Orleans has placed a key component around him to help Shough thrive in his second season.
New Orleans Saints run game could accelerate Tyler Shough’s development
A strong run game is one of the best ways to take pressure off a young quarterback. In five of his nine starts, Tyley Shough was forced to drop back 40 or more times, which is a heavy workload for any quarterback, especially early in his career.
To avoid putting that much pressure on him in 2026, the Saints are expected to lean on a high powered rushing attack with the dynamic duo of new addition Travis Ettiene and Alvin Kamara. Thheir versatility of runners and pass catchers gives Shough reliable options to help create a balanced offense.
Etienne and Kamara compliment each other extremely well, as Etienne has proven to be a true three down back who adds a workhorse element to the offense with his game breaking speed and home run ability.
Meanwhile, Kamara enters 2026 in a more favorable role, allowing him to focus on what he does best, using his patience as a runner, and elite receiving ability to create defensive mismatches. Together they give Shough the ability to hand the ball off for positive yards, keeping the offense on schedule and preventing him from carrying a large burden.
The Saints rushing attack has the potential to be one of the NFL’s best duos. Their ability to run the football and keep the offense on schedule will play a pivotal role in Shough’s development. If this unit lives up to expectations, it could provide the ingredient in helping him avoid a sophomore slump.
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