Tyler Shough’s time has arrived. After replacing Spencer Rattler in the New Orleans Saints' Week 8 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team has named the rookie quarterback the starter moving forward. This moment seemed inevitable when New Orleans selected Shough with the 40th-overall pick in the 2025 Draft, and it’s now here after a 1-7 start with Spencer Rattler under center.
While this is a moment Shough has likely waited for his entire life, his first start will come against a challenging unit. There aren’t many soft touches in the National Football League, but there are certainly better teams to debut against than the Los Angeles Rams. Nevertheless, this is the moment Shough has been waiting for, so he and the Saints will have to figure it out.
Tyler Shough could be under constant pressure in first start against aggressive Rams defense
The Rams, who are 5-2, have a talented defense led by an aggressive defensive line. On the season, Los Angeles has recorded 26 sacks, which ranks second in the NFL. With guys like Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, Byron Young, and Kobie Turner relentlessly getting after quarterbacks every week, it could be a long starting debut for Shough.
It doesn’t help that New Orleans' offensive line is beat up, and has struggled throughout the year. The Saints have allowed 20 sacks this season, which is the 12th most in the league. Additionally, the offense is only averaging 93.6 rushing yards per game (fifth-lowest in NFL), so New Orleans doesn’t have a run game that can neutralize an aggressive pass rush.
If the Saints want to set up their rookie quarterback for success, they have to find a run game and be better in pass protection. Additionally, New Orleans defense must contain a productive Rams offense, because the last thing a team wants is a rookie quarterback in a shootout. If that happens on Sunday, things could get ugly fast for Shough.