July 4, 2026, 8:55 a.m. CT
Tyler Shough remains one of the toughest quarterbacks in the NFL to rank heading into the 2026 season. The New Orleans Saints‘ quarterback showed enough late last season to make the organization feel comfortable moving forward with him, but he hasn’t put enough on tape to earn national respect. That has shown up in a few recent quarterback rankings.
Shough, 26, threw for 2,384 yards and ten touchdown passes in 11 games played last season. He also completed 67.6 percent of his passes and ran for 186 yards and three touchdowns. The next step for Shough is proving that his late-season play wasn’t a fluke or just a short stretch or promise, but rather the start of something the Saints can actually build around in the future.
The soon-to-be second-year quarterback received promising recent rankings but didn’t crack the top 20 in others’. It’s a tough situation to judge; his 2027 ranking should be clearer. He also has the edge over some of his 2025 NFL Draft classmates, Jaxson Dart, Cam Ward, and Shedeur Sanders:
Shough nearly won NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year after leading the Saints to five victories in his nine starts to close the season. An upset win at Tampa Bay and two victories over the eventual NFC South champion Carolina Panthers give the Saints hope that Shough can lead them to the postseason in 2026.
Shough displayed the same ball security in the NFL that he showed during his lone season at Louisville. His 2.0% turnover-worthy play rate tied for the fourth-lowest mark among qualifying quarterbacks. From Week 8 through the end of the regular season, Shough ranked 10th among qualifying quarterbacks in PFF passing grade (77.9). That came without the benefit of a sustainable running game or play-action passing attack. Improved offensive balance should create better opportunities for Shough to succeed in 2026.
Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.Jaxson Dart: 25thCam Ward: 29thShedeur Sanders: Honorable Mention
Shough and the Saints’ late-2025 success have given New Orleans optimism heading into 2026. Adding to that optimism are the Saints’ notable offseason additions, which include multiple new pass catchers and offensive linemen, such as former Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr., rookie wideouts Jordyn Tyson and Oscar Delp, and rookie guard Jeremiah Wright.
Jaxson Dart: 18thCam Ward: 20thShedeur Sanders: Not ranked
Tyler Shough’s intelligence and “good arm” help him land at No. 27 on the countdown, but Simms isn’t 100% sure the Saints signal caller is the long-term answer in New Orleans.
