New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) runs in for a touchdown against Denver Broncos linebacker Andrew Farmer (53) during the fourth quarter at Caesars Superdome. Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

Why Tyler Shough should win razor-thin Saints QB competition

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Aug 23, 2025 8:46 PM ET

Instead of providing clarity to the New Orleans Saints quarterback competition, Saturday's preseason finale only made it murkier.

With the gap razor-thin between rookie Tyler Shough and second-year pro Spencer Rattler, the Saints should roll the dice and start Shough in Week 1.

In the preseason Week 3 loss to the Denver Broncos, Rattler started and went 5-of-8 for 43 yards and was sacked once, losing four yards. He led the Saints to field goals on their fi rst two series, but he failed to pick up a first down on a fourth-and-1 quarterback sneak to end his outing after his third drive.

Shough followed and played four series (excluding the end of half), guiding New Orleans to its lone touchdown, showing off his mobility after making an accurate read on an option play, keeping the ball and scampering to the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown.

Tyler Shough keeps it and runs it in untouched ‼️

Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/sVvG3MhrwV
— NFL (@NFL) August 23, 2025

His score followed a fumble on the previous drive, the second time this preseason, Shough responded from a turnover with a touchdown. As a rookie on what projects to be one of the league's worst teams, Shough, if named the starter, probably will make plenty of mistakes. It's a promising sign that he's already developing a short memory.

Our ball ‼️

: My20 pic.twitter.com/l5TssIHI85
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 23, 2025

He ended Saturday's loss 12-of-20 for 102 yards, losing six yards on one sack and gaining 20 yards on two rush attempts.

Rattler and Shough concluded the preseason with similar numbers:

QB	COMP	ATT	COMP %	PASS YARDS	Y/A	PASS TD	INT	RUSH ATT	RUSH YDS
Spencer Rattler	30	43	69.8%	295	6.9	1	1	7	41
Tyler Shough	36	54	66.7%	333	6.2	1	1	3	23

Even with a year of experience, Rattler isn't so far ahead of Shough that the Saints should keep their 2025 second-round pick on the bench.

Shough showed the most mobility he has had this preseason against the Broncos, also maneuvering better in the pocket and demonstrating his creative release angles on throws.

New Orleans needs to get its first-year quarterback regular-season reps at some point this season to make sure it doesn't need to add another in the likely QB-rich 2026 NFL Draft. Shough fared well enough over the past three weeks for head coach Kellen Moore to give him the starting job out of the gate.

If the quarterback competition were being scored, it would be even. In this scenario, the tie should go to the rookie.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

More must-reads: