Report details why Saints 'embraced' QB Tyler Shough before, during NFL Draft

Previous reports suggested that Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough could be selected during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, even though he suffered serious injuries each college season from 2021 through 2023 and turns 26 years old this coming September. 

After the New Orleans Saints grabbed Shough in the second round with overall pick No. 40, ESPN's Katherine Terrell touched upon why first-year head coach Kellen Moore wanted to choose the young signal-caller who could be New Orleans' 2025 Week 1 starter.

"The Saints didn't just ignore those issues -- they actually embraced them," Terrell said about Shough's unique resume. "Shough's maturity appealed to a team in transition, pairing him with Moore, who is the youngest current NFL coach at 36. As quarterback Derek Carr deals with a shoulder injury of unknown severity, Shough said his only goal for now is to compete and help the team in any way he can."

During a church service on Sunday, Carr confirmed he has "an MRI report to prove" he is dealing with some sort of shoulder-related setback. A story from earlier in April indicated that injury could sideline Carr for at least a portion of the upcoming campaign, and NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated said on Monday that the 34-year-old could "opt for surgery."

Meanwhile, Shough broke his collarbone twice in college before he suffered a broken fibula in 2023. Much more recently, however, he rose draft boards as some analysts referred to him as "the most pro-ready" quarterback in this year's class. 

One report from the morning of April 24 hinted that the New York Jets would consider taking Shough with pick No. 42 even though they signed Justin Fields in free agency. The Saints didn't want to risk losing Shough to any team when the time to spend the draft's 40th choice arrived. 

"Moore and the Saints...spent a lot of time visiting with Shough in the months leading up to the draft," Terrell added. "Saints assistant offensive line coach and running backs coach Joel Thomas saw him up close at the Senior Bowl. Quarterbacks coach Scott Tolzien spent an entire day with Shough at Louisville's pro day. New Orleans also brought him in to visit its facility."

Assuming Carr won't be ready to play anytime soon, Shough would compete with 2024 fifth-round draft pick Spencer Rattler for the New Orleans starting job. Moore had nothing to do with the Saints acquiring Rattler last spring, and one would think the coach will want to go with his chosen quarterback sooner rather than later.