Saints’ Unexpected Pick Already Under Pressure
The New Orleans Saints are facing a season of difficult choices…
Heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, the Saints were tied to a few quarterback prospects, but they still managed to surprise many.
Jaxson Dart and Shedeur Sanders were the most talked-about names for New Orleans, while Tyler Shough wasn’t generating much buzz. However, the Saints selected Shough with the 40th overall pick in the second round, leaving some to question the decision.
Now, Shough is vying for the starting position, and Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio has already placed him on the “hot seat.”
“Tyler Shough, Saints: He’ll need to prove enough in 2025 to earn the chance to succeed in 2026, or else the Saints will look to draft Archie Manning’s grandson in 2027,” Florio said. “And, yes, I believe Arch Manning will spend two years as a college starter before declaring for the draft.”
Shough is a fascinating choice. He’s clearly the quarterback the Saints wanted. When New Orleans was on the clock at pick No. 9, every quarterback was still available except for Cam Ward. By pick No. 40, Ward and Dart were off the board, but plenty of other options were still there. The fact that they chose Shough suggests confidence in his potential. Additionally, this marks Kellen Moore’s first year as head coach for the Saints. Shough’s selection is a significant move for Moore, and the two are now closely connected—whether things go well or not.
Moreover, Shough is the highest-drafted quarterback the Saints have selected since Archie Manning in 1971. While Shough’s age—turning 26 this September—might make him more vulnerable to criticism, it’s clear that New Orleans picked him with a clear vision in mind.
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