Look, if you haven't been paying attention to the Bayou lately, you might still think Derek Carr is the guy under center. Or maybe you're stuck in that weird limbo where Spencer Rattler was supposed to be the savior.
Things move fast in the NFL. Like, breakneck fast.
Right now, the answer to who is the QB for New Orleans Saints is officially Tyler Shough. Not as a temporary fill-in. Not as a "let's see what the kid has" experiment. He’s the undisputed starter heading into the 2026 season. After a rollercoaster 2025 that saw the team nearly bottom out, the Saints have finally hitched their wagon to the former Louisville standout.
The Wild Road to Tyler Shough
It wasn't supposed to go down like this. Honestly, the 2025 offseason was a total mess for the front office. Derek Carr caught everyone off guard by opting for a "medical retirement" before the season even kicked off. It left GM Mickey Loomis and head coach Kellen Moore scrambling.
They took Spencer Rattler in the fifth round of the 2024 draft and then grabbed Shough in the second round in 2025.
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Initially, Rattler won the job. He had the hype. He had the "Netflix documentary" pedigree. But the wins just didn't follow. After a dismal 1-7 start that had fans ready to riot on Bourbon Street, Kellen Moore finally pulled the plug. Shough stepped in during Week 9 against the Rams, and the vibe shifted almost instantly.
The guy is big. He’s 6'5", 220 pounds, and plays with a kind of "old man strength" that makes sense when you realize he’s actually 26 years old—older than about a dozen other starting QBs in the league right now.
Breaking Down the Numbers
You can't argue with what happened on the field. Shough went 5-4 down the stretch. That might not sound like Hall of Fame stuff, but for a team that looked dead in the water, it was a miracle.
- Completion Rate: A very respectable 67.6%.
- Total Passing Yards: 2,384 in just over half a season.
- Touchdowns: 10 through the air, plus 3 on the ground.
- The Clutch Factor: He led the Saints to four straight wins in the second half of the season.
He even put himself in the Offensive Rookie of the Year conversation. That doesn't happen by accident in a Kellen Moore system that demands a lot of pre-snap processing.
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What About Spencer Rattler?
It’s tough for Rattler fans, but the writing is on the wall. While Rattler showed flashes of that elite arm talent, the consistency just wasn't there. He finished the year with 1,586 yards and an 8-to-5 TD-to-INT ratio.
Basically, he’s become the odd man out. There’s already massive chatter about the Saints trading him this offseason. Teams like the Jets or the Cardinals—who are looking for young, high-upside backups or bridge starters—are reportedly sniffing around.
The Brees Connection
If you want to know how serious the Saints are about Shough being the future, look at his January 2026 plans. He’s heading out to San Diego to train with none other than Drew Brees.
Think about that.
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Brees doesn't just work with anyone. The fact that the legend is taking Shough under his wing to help him "pick his brain" on processing and footwork tells you everything you need to know about the organization's backing. Mickey Loomis admitted he’s being "patient" with the development, but Kellen Moore has been vocal, saying he’s "great with Tyler" as the QB1 for the 2026 campaign.
Why This Matters for 2026
The Saints are in a weird spot. They have a defense that can still play—Chase Young and Carl Granderson were absolute menaces in Brandon Staley’s 3-4 scheme last year. But a defense only takes you so far if your QB is a turnover machine.
Shough proved he could protect the ball and move the chains. He’s not just a pocket statue; he’s got enough mobility to escape when the offensive line (which is still a work in progress) breaks down.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're looking to follow the Saints' progress this offseason, keep an eye on these specific developments:
- The Trade Market: Watch for a Spencer Rattler trade before or during the 2026 Draft. The Saints need draft capital to fix the interior O-line and adding a day-two pick for Rattler would be huge.
- The Brees Effect: Follow the reports from the San Diego passing camp. If Shough shows up to OTAs with a faster release and better command of the "Brees-style" short-to-intermediate game, the Saints could actually compete in a weak NFC South.
- Depth Chart Stability: Expect the Saints to bring in a cheap veteran backup. With Taysom Hill still doing Taysom things (and recovering from an AC joint injury), the team needs a reliable clipboard holder who won't threaten Shough's confidence.
The era of who is the QB for New Orleans Saints being a weekly question is over. It's Tyler Shough's team now. The "Louisville Legend" (as some fans are already calling him) has the keys to the city, and for the first time since Brees retired, there's actually a sense of stability at the most important position on the field.