The season-ending injuries gave him perspective.
“You didn’t think maybe it was possible when you’re getting carted off the field, but you kind of have that self-belief and support around you,” he said. “I was just happy to be in that moment and go to an organization and team that believes in you and I’m ready to go compete.
“It’s been a long one but for me, it’s only made me stronger. I’ve had the bone breaks and it hasn’t affected me physically and it strengthened me mentally. I feel so prepared to come into New Orleans and continue to learn, continue to grow, compete and at this point I’m ready for this opportunity and excited to get there.”
“I think all quarterbacks go through adversity,” Moore said. “There’s challenges as you go through this and those guys who can handle adversity tend to thrive in this league. Tyler certainly has dealt with some. For him to continue to rebound from those and then play at such a high level this past year, he kind of just built momentum as we went through this whole thing.”
Shough – 6 feet 5, 219 pounds – completed 244 of 389 passes 3,195 yards and 23 touchdowns, with six interceptions in 12 starts last season at Louisville. In 42 games and 32 starts covering seven seasons and three programs, he totaled 7,820 passings on 599 completions in 951 attempts, with 59 touchdowns and 23 interceptions, and he ran for 11 touchdowns and 733 yards on 246 carries.
He said finally putting together a healthy season was pivotal.
“It was huge, just to be in that style of offense under (Louisville) Coach (Jeff) Brohm,” Shough said. “You’re running pro-style concepts, having a lot more control of everything.
“Having a full season where you have to manage the ebbs and flows. I’ve obviously been around and seen a lot of ball and started a lot of games, but having a full season and being able to showcase what I can do was my main goal, and I’m just happy to be here in this moment and I want to continue to do that.”
For Shough, joining the Saints will put him under the tutelage of another head coach who played the position, Moore. Shough’s college coach, Brohm, also played quarterback and with the Saints he’ll have offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier and quarterbacks coach Scott Tolzien, too, who played quarterback.
“I think everywhere Coach Moore has been there’s been greatness from the quarterback position,” Shough said. “I think he’s a guru when it comes to that and I’m just so excited to continue to work with him.
“I feel like this is the only team in the NFL where you’ve got that QB coach, the (offensive coordinator) and the head coach are all quarterback guys. So there’s an incredible opportunity to come in and learn from them.”