Tyler Shough didn’t just battle opponents; he battled his own body. Again and again. At Texas Tech, he broke his collarbone twice in back-to-back seasons. Each time, the whispers grew louder. But Shough didn’t flinch. He transferred to Louisville for a final shot. All 12 games. No setbacks. No tape jobs hiding pain. Just consistent, tough, smart football from a guy who had every reason to quit. By the end of 2024, he wasn’t limping to the finish. But, he was powering through it, throwing for over 3,100 yards and 23 touchdowns. The NFL noticed. The Saints noticed.

On July 21st, they just dropped the bag, only to land a $10 million fully-guaranteed deal in the NFL. Tyler Shough isn’t just another second-round pick. He’s the kind of gamble that screams boom or bust. But if Mickey Loomis is giving him four years and making it official this early, someone in the Saints building saw more than tape.

He was dragging the Cardinals to a Sun Bowl appearance and earning national Comeback Player of the Year honors. Honorable mention All-ACC? Maybe. But that doesn’t even scratch the surface of how clutch he was in 2024. Now, let’s talk profile. He’s 6-foot-5, 219 pounds, and throws with a natural whip that doesn’t need a perfect base. That’s part of why scouts kept circling back.

Louisville WR Coach and former NFL wideout Deion Branch praised the Saints’ choice a couple of months back. He said, “You drafted the right quarterback. Tyler is an NFL quarterback who was in college.” ESPN Analyst Louis Riddick also claimed that Shough is everything the Saints will hope he can be.

But, the main discussion continues. In New Orleans, that QB1 spot is still very much up for grabs.

Tyler Shough still not the top choice of Kellen Moore

Despite the rookie’s fully guaranteed contract, head coach Kellen Moore isn’t handing out anything based on draft status or check size. This isn’t about potential on paper. It’s about production on grass. And Spencer Rattler, now in year two, isn’t going quietly.

According to LouisianaSports.Net’s Ross Jackson, Shough has the tools, but he’ll need to earn the job outright in the training camp. “If he wins the starting role, it’ll be because of that fact,” Jackson wrote. “It won’t be about a rookie-scale deal.” That’s not lip service. That’s a warning shot to anyone assuming the Saints already chose their guy.

Rattler’s had a year to marinate, absorb the offense, and sharpen his edge. That matters. And Jackson put it bluntly, “The battle between Shough and Rattler will be all about the performance on the field during training camp and the preseason.” Don’t be surprised if Rattler makes things messy. Because make no mistake, Moore is building his foundation, and starting the wrong quarterback could derail momentum before it starts.

However, with Moore’s decision to see both QBs in the training camp, the rookie will have more chance to seal his spot. Kyle Long had earlier said on CBS that Rattler has more edge based on his experience. But Moore, he is ready to wait before deciding anything.

And even if Shough doesn’t crack the lineup early? No panic. The Saints have spent big on backups before, just ask Teddy Bridgewater, who cashed in $7.25 million in guaranteed money without seeing much daylight behind Drew Brees. This team isn’t afraid to stash talent and wait. Especially during a rebuild. The $10 million price tag on Shough is a bet on potential, not proof. And if he turns out to be QB2 in September, it’s not a loss, it’s a luxury.