Tyler Shough addresses possibly losing Saints starting job in 2026

Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough has thus far made just two starts for the New Orleans Saints but seems to understand his future with the club is up in the air ahead of Thanksgiving. 

Those running the Saints could look for an upgrade at the sport's most important position during the upcoming offseason, either via free agency or the 2026 NFL Draft. Shough could silence such chatter by looking like the real deal over New Orleans' final seven games of the campaign. 

Tyler Shough wants to be Saints' long-term QB

"I want to be here for the long run, and my play and how I control each day is going to reflect that," Shough recently said, as Katherine Terrell shared for ESPN on Thursday. "So my job is to do everything I can that way, and that's all I care about. So whether we're 0-17 or 17-0, I'm treating it the same. I'm going to go play football and have fun. I love my teammates and love these guys and whoever's here, we're going to get after it."

Shough started the season as a backup for Week 1 QB1 Spencer Rattler before first-year Saints head coach Kellen Moore made a change after Week 8. Most recently, Shough helped New Orleans earn a surprising 17-7 win over the Carolina Panthers ahead of the Saints' Week 11 bye. 

Against the Panthers, Shough completed 19-of-27 passes for 282 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions. 

Tyler Shough welcoming challenges amid questions about uncertain future

Saints owner Gayle Benson recently insisted that general manager Mickey Loomis will remain in that role through at least the offseason. One would think that will prove to be good news for Shough, as history shows a new regime may have wanted to start over with its own quarterback. 

For now, Shough is concentrating on growing as the CEO of New Orleans' offense. 

"I feel more and more comfortable each day, each practice as I kind of build that chemistry with some of the guys," Shough added. "And I think it's part of it, the business of guys coming in and going, but for me, I just feel really comfortable and there's going to be challenges ahead, so I'm going to continue to battle through those."

As of Thursday morning, ESPN BET had the Shough-led 2-8 Saints as 1.5-point favorites for this coming Sunday's home game versus the Atlanta Falcons (3-7).