Saints' Tyler Shough reveals goal ahead of second NFL season

Second-year pro Tyler Shough fell to the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, but he now has New Orleans Saints fans excited about what he could achieve for the franchise as soon as this coming season.

During a recent conversation with Jeff Howe of The Athletic, Shough made it clear that he isn't satisfied with what he accomplished as a rookie.

Tyler Shough wants "to get better every single day"

"I feel like I’m chasing this version of myself, this better version of myself where I feel like I hold myself to a really high standard,” Shough explained. "How can I continue to elevate and get better every single day?"

Shough suffered serious injuries each college season from 2021 through 2023, and he will turn 27 years old this coming September. More recently, he began last season as a backup behind Week 1 QB1 Spencer Rattler, but Shough then completed 17-of-30 passes for 128 yards with no touchdowns and an interception in a Week 8 relief appearance. 

From there, Shough went 5-4 across nine starts en route to finishing second in Offensive Rookie of the Year Award voting. Per Pro Football Reference, he finished the regular season ranked 24th in the league among qualified players with a 48.8 adjusted QBR and 19th with a 91.3 passer rating. Over 11 total in-game appearances, he tallied 10 touchdown passes and six interceptions.

"I always feel like I’m going to play with a chip on my shoulder," Shough told Howe. "I also have this perspective of gratitude to be in this situation, to be in New Orleans. Throughout my college career, it was derailed by a couple of injuries, moving states, transferring teams. I understand the nature of the business."

Tyler Shough not lacking confidence ahead of second pro season

With Shough in the lineup, the 2025 Saints ultimately went from 1-8 to 6-10 before they suffered a Week 18 loss at the rival Atlanta Falcons. That stretch of play seemingly has Shough feeling confident that his best days with New Orleans are to come. 

"My mindset was to just kind of go for it," Shough added during the conversation with Howe. "I’m here for a reason. If I can go out there and not be afraid to make mistakes, knowing it’s going to be far from perfect, but the more I can keep my head looking forward and getting everyone going on the same mission, that’s the goal. That was my mindset all of last year, and it’s continuing into this year. We have high expectations for ourselves; we also have a good sense of urgency. We set a standard last year of how we can play together as a team, and I want to be the driving force of that."

The Saints haven't played in a playoff game since January 2021. If Shough continues to take steps in the right direction, he could help New Orleans end the club's postseason drought as soon as this coming winter.