Saints star Tyler Shough on overcoming adversity, life off the field with pregnant wife Jordan... and what he really thinks of comparisons to 'mentor' Archie Manning
The New Orleans Saints walked on to a rain-soaked Raymond James field on Sunday as 8.5-point underdogs, already eliminated from the NFL playoffs. They left with a 24-20 upset win over NFC South leaders, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Saints have been rudderless for five years without a franchise quarterback since Drew Brees’ retirement. But following Sunday’s win, the verdict from the Big Easy was clear. It may only be five starts into his NFL career, but the city was swinging into its Tyler Shough era.
The 26-year-old quarterback played a pivotal role in flipping the script on the Buccaneers, running for two touchdowns.
It marked the rookie’s second career NFL victory. It was something that even at the beginning of this season was far from a guarantee. It was something that two years ago seemed practically impossible.
‘I think it's always been the goal,’ he told The Daily Mail as he reflected on his journey this season.
‘You have to have that belief in yourself. So, I definitely envisioned it, and I knew I was capable. But I didn't know if the opportunity was going to be there a couple years ago, after being injured and having some adversity.
Tyler Shough led the New Orleans Saints to an upset victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The 26-year-old quarterback played a pivotal role in flipping the script on the Buccaneers
The rookie signal caller is pictured with his wife Jordan at the Pelicans game on Monday
‘But I think having that mindset, showing up to work each day and knowing that if I get that opportunity, I'm going to take advantage of it.'
‘I’m just super grateful, but I know I have to continue to earn it every day,' he added, at an event for Raising Cane's.
Shough endured his fair share of adversity throughout the rollercoaster of his collegiate career. During his stint at Texas Tech, where he spent the 2021-23 seasons, Shough did not manage to finish a single season where he was completely healthy.
He suffered a broken left collarbone in 2021, re-broke that same collarbone in 2022, then broke his fibula in 2023. As a result, played in just 15 during his three seasons as a Red Raider.
In spite of his woes and mature age, the Saints handed the ‘injury-prone’ quarterback a lifeline in April, following his final season at Louisville. And he may have proven to be the steal of the draft.
New Orleans selected him with the 40th overall pick in April - ahead of the likes of Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel - but he had to face a tight QB battle down in the Big Easy.
Shough had to wait until November 2 for his first NFL start when head coach Kellen Moore benched his competition, Spencer Rattler.
‘I think they've done a really good job,’ he said of the Saints’ locker room support amid the change up under center. ‘Since I've been playing, they’ve been fully invested and fully supportive to do everything that we can. I think it's a testament to the Saints, the front office, the staff, the work they put in.’
Shough replaced Spencer Rattler (right) as the Saints' starting quarterback last month
The Arizona native enjoyed an injury-free season during his year at Louisville
‘Spencer and I are really good friends,’ he added when asked about his relationship with his fellow signal caller after replacing him. ‘This whole process has been obviously up and down with a record standpoint, but we've been pretty steady, just coming to work each day in the quarterback room.’
The Saints' season has long come to yet another disappointing end. With a mere three wins to its name, New Orleans sits rock-bottom in the NFC South, one of the handful of teams already eliminated from playoff contention.
Most players would crawl away from the implosion of a season with little encouragement or hope to cling to. But not veteran Cam Jordan.
'I think we've got a tenacious locker room in general,' the defensive end told The Daily Mail. And part of that tenacious spark? Shough.
'We were going to have these growth pains, especially when you pivot from one quarterback - you know, from Spencer to Tyler - but you also see the growth in that quarterback.
'There's definitely an excitement in the building when you hear Tyler Shough, and the points he was able to put against a strong, stingy Bucs defense. You get hopeful for how much more can he grow by the end of the season.'
It may only be five starts into his NFL career but Shough has already staked his claim to the starting job beyond the 2025 season.
With Sunday’s shock victory, he accomplished a feat only previously achieved by the greatest player in New Orleans lore.
Saints veteran defensive end Cam Jordan offered glowing praise for the young quarterback
Shough became just the second rookie quarterback in Saints history to win multiple games during their first year since the legendary Archie Manning - something which has not been lost on the Arizona native.
‘It’s an honor because I've been able to develop a relationship with Archie,’ he said. ‘Obviously, what he's done here and in the community, it's such a big deal.’
‘He's been a great mentor,’ Shough added of the Saints legend. ‘I think ever since I've gotten drafted here and gone to the Manning Passing Academy, he's been such a great friend and mentor. Throughout the whole process, just always checking in to see how we are doing. It means so much.’
But it’s another New Orleans great whose eye Shough has caught.
Saints fans aren’t alone in heralding in the Shough era down in the Crescent City. Brees, the last quarterback to give Bourbon Street something to drink to, believes the rookie has what it takes to give the vibrant city something to celebrate once again.
Brees, who won Super Bowl XLIV with the Saints, declared that Shough has ‘all the traits you want in a quarterback.’
‘It's just an unbelievable honor because he's the greatest of all time in my opinion, especially down here in New Orleans and what he's done,’ Shough gushed of the former signal caller. ‘So, his words definitely carry a lot of weight for me personally as a player and here in New Orleans.
‘But I’ve got to continue to do everything I can to earn respect, and put wins on the board.’
Shough became just the second rookie quarterback in Saints history to win multiple games during their first year since the legendary Archie Manning (pictured)
Legendary New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees hoists the Lombardi Trophy in 2010
Shough has been giving more than a couple of wins back to the city of New Orleans. As the holiday period looms, he spoke to The Daily Mail as he and teammate Cam Jordan teamed up with Raising Cane’s to donate 100 bikes to the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Louisiana.
The initiative, which spreads holiday cheer and gifts memories that last a lifetime to the youth of the city, is just one of the things that encapsulates the spirit of the Bayou.
‘It's so heartwarming, because coming down here to New Orleans and Louisiana in general, I feel like everybody's just super close with each other,’ he said. It's just a tight-knit community. It's not too big of a city, but it's just big enough to have everything that you need, and small enough to make you feel like you're still at home.’
And the Saints’ tight-knit community is set to welcome a new member in the new year.
Last month, Shough and his wife Jordan announced that they are expecting their first child, a boy, together, with their bundle of joy possibly arriving just in time for the city’s iconic Mardi Gras celebrations.
‘We feel very settled. I think everybody's been super welcoming. It’s been a really easy transition, moving down here on short notice. We're excited to kind of keep going and attack this new journey together as parents and obviously in the NFL.’
