Saints QB Tyler Shough strengthens OROY bid with fourth straight win

New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough is giving award voters something to consider.

On Sunday, the rookie second-round pick had arguably his best game of the season in a 34-26 comeback road win at the Tennessee Titans (3-13), out-dueling 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward in leading the Saints (6-10) to a fourth consecutive win.

Shough has been central to the team's late-season surge, which, while not helping New Orleans qualify for this year's playoffs, has positioned it as one of the league's ascending franchises entering 2026. His string of strong performances has also given him a credible claim to receive 2025 Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in February.

Tyler Shough building ironclad OROY case with strong end to the regular season

Shough had his second consecutive 300-yard passing performance in the Week 17 win. He was excellent in the fourth quarter, going 5-of-5 for 164 yards before throwing two incompletions during a three-and-out on New Orleans' final possession. Overall, Shough was 22-of-27 for 333 yards and two touchdowns. 

Per Stathead research, he became just the second rookie to have a game completing 80 percent of his passes for over 300 yards, multiple passing touchdowns and no interceptions, joining Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, who accomplished the feat twice a season ago.

Through Shough's first eight starts, he's been by far the league's best rookie quarterback, taking over for a 1-7 team and leading it to a 5-3 record. He's 181-of-260 (69.6 percent) for 1,997 yards (249.6 yards per game), nine touchdowns and four interceptions since Week 9.

Since 2000, only Jayden Daniels and Ben Roethlisberger, two Rookie of the Year winners, posted a higher completion percentage in their first eight starts as a rookie. His 1,997 passing yards are the most in a rookie quarterback's first eight starts since C.J. Stroud, another OROY honoree, threw for 2,270 in 2023. (h/t Stathead)

The recognition would be well-earned and a tangible sign of the Saints' growth under first-year head coach Kellen Moore. New Orleans has exceeded expectations in a transitional, rebuild season, and its impressive rookie class has played a significant role.

In addition to Shough, left tackle Kelvin Banks has stabilized that side of the line, while safety Jonas Sanker and corner Quincy Riley have flashed potential in the secondary. Running back Devin Neal also showed promise before being placed on season-ending injured reserve with a hamstring injury earlier this month.

But Shough has been the engine that's revitalized the Saints, and he's sprinting to the finish line, whereas other OROY candidates are limping. Carolina Panthers wideout Tetairoa McMillan, the favorite to win the award, only had one catch for five yards on four targets in Sunday's 27-10 home loss to the Seattle Seahawks (13-3). Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Emeka Egbuka, another top candidate, has three receptions for 20 yards in a road loss to the Miami Dolphins (7-9), while New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson gained three yards on five carries in last weekend's win over the Baltimore Ravens.

Shough has been the best in his class over the last half of the season, making a compelling argument to voters. If he sticks the landing in Week 18, it might be enough to cap the year with Rookie of the Year honors.