Carolina Panthers receiver Tetairoa McMillan remains the favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, but New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough is at least giving voters something to consider.
The Saints have won three consecutive games, with Shough throwing for 300-plus yards for the first time in his career in Sunday’s 29-6 demolition of the New York Jets. His play, spearheading a team that looked lost in the wilderness early in the season, has given him a shot to earn OROY in the final two weeks.
“That’s obviously a great achievement,” Shough said Sunday when asked about postseason accolades, via The Times-Picayune. “But I think for us, that can be attained by finishing the season the right way with getting the victory next week and then the week after that. So that’s all I’m focused on right now. And we’ll go from there.”
McMillan, who has 924 yards, 65 catches and seven touchdowns for the NFC South-leading Panthers, remains in front for OROY, but the fact that Shough is even in the conversation is a testament to the Saints’ strong play down the stretch.
In seven starts, Shough has displayed arm talent, heady playmaking when things break down, and incremental improvement each week. It’s enough to silence chatter in the Bayou that the Saints need to take another swing at the QB position in the offseason.
“I think that’s awesome,” coach Kellen Moore said of Shough having a chance to earn the award. “Tyler’s played some really good football. Our team has played much better football as the season’s progressed, so those things certainly don’t go without the guys around him and everyone kind of stepping up and playing better.
“Tyler’s brought a really positive spark to us, some consistency. … I love where he’s at.”