
Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough was thrust into action in Week 8 of the NFL season for the New Orleans Saints. While his production wasn't overly impressive, it was a sign of the times and an admission by the coaching staff that changes are necessary for the Saints going forward, both for this season and beyond. What is next for New Orleans at the QB position?
The Saints turned to the rookie QB in the second half as the offense floundered over and over due to a multitude of mistakes and overall lack of effectiveness. Head coach Kellen Moore was "looking for a spark" when he took out Rattler in favor of Shough, but nothing came from it on the scoreboard for Moore's squad.
New Orleans' interior offensive line issues and lack of upside at pass catcher reared their ugly head for both quarterbacks against Tampa Bay. A banged-up Bucs defense kept the Saints out of the end zone, regardless of which quarterback was playing between Rattler and Shough.
Rattler's turnover issues were a problem once again in Week 8 after he turned it over four times against the Chicago Bears in Week 7. Shough did have one interception against Tampa Bay, but that was not his fault as much as it was Chris Olave's who got the ball stolen from him by Bucs safety Antoine Winfield Jr. on the play. Either way, neither player dazzled - only further clouding the decision going forward for Moore and his staff.
After the game, the young HC wasn't quick to crown either QB as his starter for next week. The Saints travel to Los Angeles to play the Rams, a vaunted defensive group - particularly in the trenches.
"We'll navigate this thing over the next 48 hours." -- Moore on QB decision
He also noted that he is not looking to flip back and forth between Shough and Rattler. That throws off the rhythm for every player involved in the unit's success, and players need consistent reps in practice with others in order to succeed. The amount of first team work that Shough gets this week is absolutely worth monitoring, though.
Moore won’t commit to a starter next week. Said the offense needed a spark.
— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) October 26, 2025
As for the long-term outlook of this situation, New Orleans may not have their QB of the future on the current roster. Right now, they sit atop the 2026 NFL Draft order with a record of 1-7. If that sort of scenario comes to fruition, it feels rather likely that Moore and co. will use that premium pick to secure their hopeful long-term answer at QB.
Regardless, this first move to Shough due to Rattler's struggles and the overall offense's performance opens the door to a look ahead to what's next for the Saints. We will see if Shough becomes the starter for the rest of the season to get a true look at his potential, albeit with a somewhat weak surrounding cast around him.
More must-reads:
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!