New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough has emerged as one of the league's bright stars. His breakout 2025 season has sparked an intriguing conversation about whether his presence is enough to make New Orleans a more attractive destination for free agents.
Shough’s rookie season caught everyone by surprise. He stepped in as the starter midway through the year while the team searched for some sort of answers on offense. Shough brought consistency to this game the offense, keeping drives alive, and the offense moving with confidence.
He finished the season with 2,384 passing yards, 13 total touchdowns, and only 6 interceptions. He finished just shy of winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year award, after a breakout stretch that firmly established him as the team’s future at quarterback. While his run was undeniably impressive, free agents will likely want to see a larger body of work before viewing New Orleans as destination built around him.
Tyler Shough’s rise is promising but consistency will drive free agent interest
It's going to take more than 9 games before players come rushing to play with Shough. His rookie surge and the Saints late season push show the team is headed in the right direction. Shough's ability to lead comebacks and make plays under pressure gave fans a glimpse of what the future could hold. The offense started to click, turning early struggles into late season momentum.
With Shough emerging as a potential franchise quarterback, the foundation is set. The team is going to need consistency and growth to fully realize its upside. Supporting Shough with a balanced offense, reliable weapons, and smart coaching decisions will be crucial in proving that this wasn't just a hot streak.
Unfortunately, building a balanced offense with reliable weapons typically comes with free agents. The Saints could take the draft approach. That'll give them cheap players to start, or New Orleans can grab bargain players now and possibly make a splash next offseason. It's a multi-year process, but it all hinges on Shough continuing his ascension. One more year is all that it should take before players start wanting to play with the young quarterback.
The Saints are clearly moving in the right direction, but it may be premature to call Shough a draw for free agent talent just yet. An impressive half season is still a half season. A larger body of work from the young quarterback will be needed, and if he continues to develop, New Orleans could become a destination that many players seriously consider.