The New Orleans Saints selected the third quarterback of the 2025 NFL Draft, and it wasn't who most expected.
The organization selected Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough at No. 40, also the age he will be in 14 years.
Shough, who will turn 26 on Sept. 28, is exactly one year older than Saints 2024 fifth-round pick quarterback Spencer Rattler.
Of the 2024 season's 32 Week 1 starting quarterbacks, Shough is older than eight, including 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, who is negotiating his second NFL contract.
Shough is also eight days older than Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the 2021 NFL Draft's No. 1 overall pick.
Shough is also older than Anthony Richardson, Bo Nix, Jayden Daniels, Bryce Young, Caleb Williams and C.J. Stroud.
While the Saints needed to add a quarterback with Derek Carr (eight years older than Shough, in case you were wondering) uncertain for Week 1 because of a shoulder injury, Shough doesn't inspire much confidence.
It's harder to fathom considering Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders was also available.
Shough has a troubling injury history. He broke his collarbone in 2021 and 2022 and his fibula in 2023, which limited him to 15 games over those three seasons.
During his seven-year collegiate career, Shough appeared in 42 games, going 599-of-951 (63 percent) for 7,820 yards (8.2 yards per attempt), 59 touchdowns and 23 interceptions.
He's a creative thrower, capable of making stunning plays off-script, such as this touchdown toss against Notre Dame, which ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes shared.
Shough, who's right-handed, rolled out to his left, turned his hips and flicked the ball to his receiver in the back of the end zone.
For being a boomer Tyler Shough moves pretty damn well. Has some fun arm angles in his toolkit, too. pic.twitter.com/2BxSlLNP2b
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) March 6, 2025
Before the draft, ESPN NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller spoke with WGNO-New Orleans' Richie Mills about Shough, and Miller shared a positive assessment.
"He is the one quarterback in this class, after Cam Ward, that gives you pro tools," Miller said. "He has a big arm, he has pretty good mobility ... enough to where he can move around in the pocket," he added before addressing Shough's age.
"It's a lot like the Bo Nix conversation last year," Miller continued.
Discussed Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough before the draft with NFL Draft Analyst & Insider Matt Miller, and here is what he had to say about the @Saints second-round pick. @WGNOtv @WGNOsports pic.twitter.com/j21LPfyM8o
— Richie Mills (@richiemills) April 25, 2025
Nix entered last year's draft at 24 years old and was a five-year college starter. He excelled with the Broncos after being selected No. 12 overall in last year's draft, completing 66.3 percent of his pass attempts for 3,775 yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions and guiding the Broncos to the postseason for the first time since 2015.
If Shough has that type of immediate success, the Saints will look like geniuses. But Shough's age will also give him a shorter grace period. Most drafted quarterbacks aren't finished products when they're taken, allowing them time to develop.
If Carr cannot play, Shough will likely open the 2025 season as New Orleans' starter, considering first-year head coach Kellen Moore certainly had input in the pick.
Even in the best-case scenario where Shough becomes a legitimate franchise quarterback, he'll be 30 when he's due for a second contract. Most quarterbacks are out of their prime by the time they reach their late 30s, giving Shough a shorter window than most draft prospects to capitalize on his opportunity.
As much as New Orleans needed a quarterback, Shough's age and injury history raise legitimate concerns about him being a long-term solution.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
Quarterback Caleb Williams will be the most watched player during Chicago Bears training camp. However, on day one, the defense came away as the true stars. In particular, veteran linebacker Tremaine Edmunds started off training camp hot, intercepting Williams on his first pass in 11-on-11 drills. Seeing the defense shine makes sense early in camp, especially as Williams and company learn Johnson’s offense. However, Edmunds himself is entering a make-or-break season. More flash plays like his pick will only put him in stronger graces with his new head coach. Alongside Johnson, new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen was certainly impressed by Edmunds’ play. As he builds his first defense with Bears, Allen expects the linebacker to simply be an, “exceptional playmaker,” via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. Tremaine Edmunds’ run with Chicago Bears After a successful five-year run with the Buffalo Bills, the Bears signed Edmunds to a $72 million contract entering the 2023 season. While he hasn’t been a complete disaster, it’s fair to say the linebacker hasn’t lived up to his billing just yet. Over 32 games with the team, Edmunds has racked up 223 tackles, 15 passes defended and five interceptions. Four of those picks came in 2023. as Edmunds’ 2024 59.2 grade from Pro Football Focus ranked just 119/189 linebackers. Clearly, the veteran still has a lot to prove entering 2025. And if things really don’t pan out, Chicago does have an out in his contract. However, the Bears are hopeful Edmunds will return to his game breaking self in 2025. During his time with the New Orleans Saints, Allen was able to coax impressive linebacker play. During the 2024 campaign, Demario Davis put up an eye-catching 136 tackles alongside seven passes defended and an interception. Davis and Edmunds are obviously two completely different players, but it’s easy to see how the latter could be a force in Allen’s scheme. One interception, even if it opened training camp, isn’t going to change the expectations placed on Edmunds’ shoulders. Despite being a veteran, head coach Ben Johnson is wiping the slate clean and making everyone on the roster earn their opportunity. Still, Edmunds has more than proved he can be a dominant force in the NFL. Now, Allen is just patiently waiting to unleash him once more.
The Golden State Warriors have had an underwhelming offseason thus far and the main headline surrounding the franchise remains the future of young forward Jonathan Kuminga. Kuminga remains a restricted free agent and after falling out of Steve Kerr’s rotation last season, his role entering next season is up in the air. Due to this, many believe that Kuminga’s time in Golden State is set to come to an end this offseason but the young forward is still deciding on what his next move will be, which will also be reliant on the Warriors due to them likely having to move him in a sign-and-trade deal. With Kuminga’s time in Golden State likely nearing an end, Sports Illustrated’s Jackson Caudell and Rohan Raman recently came up with a three-team mock trade that would send Kuminga to the Phoenix Suns. In the trade, the Suns would receive Kuminga and Moses from the Warriors and they would send Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neal and an unprotected 2032 first-round pick to Golden State. The Atlanta Hawks are the third team in this mock trade and they would acquire Nick Richards from Phoenix. This would be an interesting move for the Warriors as they would not only be moving on from a young player in Kuminga, but Moses Moody as well. Despite this, adding a sharpshooting guard in Grayson Allen, who also excels on the defensive end, could be a massive boost that the Warriors need. O’Neal would also give the Warriors a solid scorer and defender at the forward position that would allow them to upgrade their bench. By making this move, the Warriors would get older as they would swap two young players for two veterans but the additions of Allen and O’Neal, along with potential free agent signings, could help them compete for a title next season with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler leading the way.
When Auston Matthews signed his four-year, $53 million extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs in August 2023, some fans breathed a sigh of relief. The franchise cornerstone had committed to staying. But for how long—and with what intent? If you’re reading the tea leaves, there’s an argument that this is Matthews’ final contract as a Maple Leafs player. Matthews Has Signed Several Short-Term Deals Unlike many other NHL superstars, Matthews has never signed a max-length deal with Toronto. His five-year extension in 2019 and his current four-year contract run counter to the 7- or 8-year commitments inked by the likes of Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, David Pastrnak, and even William Nylander. Matthews has always prioritized flexibility and maximum earnings—and that’s his right. But it also signals something: perhaps he’s not here for the long haul unless everything lines up in his favour. Matthews Hasn’t Given the Maple Leafs a Hometown Discount Matthews led the NHL in cap hit last season at $13.25 million. That’s more than MacKinnon, a Cup champion, and more than McDavid, a multi-time Hart and Art Ross winner. While Matthews’ total earnings trail those who’ve signed longer-term deals, he’s consistently positioned himself to maximize annual value. Toronto has accommodated that, in part through massive July 1 signing bonuses. But changes to signing bonus limits and tax implications could now work against the Maple Leafs’ ability to make such offers in the future. That may be more than just a financial footnote—it could tip the scales when Matthews decides on his next deal. The Maple Leafs Have a Diminishing Core and a Murky Future Then there’s the team around him. Mitch Marner—Matthews’ closest friend and long-time linemate—moved this offseason. He’s unlikely ever to return. By 2028, Morgan Rielly, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Chris Tanev will all be well into their 30s. John Tavares will be 37. And Toronto’s prospect pipeline is thin, with no elite reinforcements on the horizon. What kind of team will this be when Matthews’ deal expires? Probably not a contender. So, Why Would Matthews Stay in Toronto? That’s the real question. If Matthews wants to win—and he’s said repeatedly that he does—then staying in Toronto beyond 2028 seems unlikely. He’ll be 30 years old, still in his prime, and positioned to command one more major payday. Will he spend it in the twilight years of an aging, capped-out roster? It’s hard to imagine the answer will be Yes. A Final Thought About Matthews and Toronto Matthews has done well in Toronto as a player. While he could earn more in another, likely US city, he has done well financially playing in Canada. So, what’s the story with his loyalty to Toronto? Are there conditions? So far, since he’s been a regular, the city has been blessed with strong teams. Matthews has also built strong friendships and has had favourable financial terms. What if all three of these aspects erode? What, then, are the odds that when this deal ends, so too will his time as a Maple Leafs player? We could all see sooner rather than later.
The Chicago Blackhawks, a crowded goaltending situation and trade rumors involving the Edmonton Oilers have fans wondering if the Stars' rivals could soon upgrade their crease before training camp. With training camp approaching, Chicago general manager Kyle Davidson has five goalies under contract, including Spencer Knight, Arvid Soderblom, Drew Commesso, newly signed Stanislav Berezhnoy, and veteran Laurent Brossoit. Only two NHL roster spots are available, which has fueled speculation that Brossoit could be moved to a contender, with Edmonton emerging as a leading candidate. For Stars fans, seeing the Oilers potentially bolster their crease should raise eyebrows. Edmonton, fresh off a deep playoff run, is looking to avoid the same issues that hurt them late in the postseason. "The Blackhawks have too many goalies and not enough spots, and Brossoit's contract and experience make him a natural trade chip for a team like the Oilers."-Julien Trekker Chicago's goalie logjam and Berezhnoy's recent signing are detailed further at NHL.com. Dallas could see its rival upgrade as Blackhawks explore trading Laurent Brossoit Brossoit, 32, carries a $3.3 million cap hit for one more season. Drafted by Calgary in 2011, he's appeared in 140 NHL games, including time with Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Vegas, where he helped the Golden Knights win the Stanley Cup in 2023. While Chicago decides, Drew Commesso continues to push for NHL time after posting a .911 save percentage over 39 AHL games. For a deeper look at Commesso's performance, his full profile is on Elite Prospects. I think if Edmonton lands Brossoit or even Commesso, Dallas may have to plan around a deeper Oilers team come playoff time, especially given how tight the Western race looks on paper.