Tyler Shough has been the most successful rookie quarterback despite being drafted after Cam Ward and Jaxson Dart. Despite being the New Orleans Saints starter for less than half of the season, Shough has more wins than any other rookie.
That's the reason Shough has catapulted squally into rookie of the year conversation. Last week, he was at fifth place with +1600 odds. After defeating the Jets, the quarterback sits only behind Tetairoa McMillan, per Draft Kings.
The last time the Saints had a rookie of the year they had two winners, Alvin Kamara and Marshon Lattimore. Shough could break that drought. Shough is playing phenomenally to close out the season, defying team and individual expectations and most importantly he's winning. Quarterbacks tend to see favoritism, and that, along with a late winning streak, could work in Shough's favor.
Tyler Shough joins offensive rookie of the year conversation
Tyler Shough has been fantastic after being named the starter in week 9. Through seven starts, he has thrown for 1,792 yards, while completing 66.4% of his passes, to go along with 9 total touchdowns and 5 interceptions. He also boasts a 4-3 record, including two game winning drives, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure.
Beyond the stats, Shough has shown poise, improved decision making, and leadership on the field, helping stabilize the Saints offense and keep them competitive in tight games.
Pro Football Focus has also taken notice of his performance this season, ranking Shough 11th among 42 graded quarterbacks. He carries an overall grade of a 77.4, Shough's grade is highlighted by a strong 74.8 grade as a passer and an impressive 70.9 grade as a rusher, showcasing his dual threat ability. The metrics underscore just how much impact he’s had since taking over as the Saints starter.
We’d probably be having a different conversation if Shough was named the starting quarterback to begin the season. More playing time would’ve allowed him to inflate his stats and given the team a better chances to win more games. More wins would have put the Saints in a stronger position and gave Shough an even better chance at Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Shough has made a strong impression and proven that he can perform at a high level, suggesting that he could be in contention for more awards in the near future.