NFL Exec 'Would Be Surprised' If Tyler Shough Isn't Saints' QB1 amid Derek Carr Injury

There is reportedly some belief within the NFL that quarterback Tyler Shough will start for the New Orleans Saints as a rookie.

Speaking to Mike Sando of The Athletic, an anonymous NFL executive said the following about Shough: "I'd be surprised if the quarterback is not starting for them. He has the arm talent. He is really smart. He comes across as a veteran already. With him, it's about staying healthy."

New Orleans was the third team to select a quarterback in the 2025 NFL draft, nabbing Shough with the No. 40 overall pick in the second round.

The Saints were viewed as a team likely to go quarterback early for numerous reasons, including the arrival of a new head coach in former NFL quarterback and longtime NFL offensive coordinator Kellen Moore.

Also, a couple of weeks before the draft, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport (h/t NFL.com's Nick Shook) reported that veteran starting quarterback Derek Carr was dealing with a shoulder injury that "threatens his availability for the upcoming season."

If Carr is unable to play, it leaves Shough, 2024 fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler and 2023 fourth-round pick Jake Haener as the Saints' quarterback options.

Rattler went 0-6 as a starter last season, throwing four touchdowns and five interceptions, while Haener lost his only start.

After spending seven seasons in college at Oregon, Texas Tech and Louisville, Shough is already 25 years old, so he is more mature than most rookies entering the league.

Because of injuries, he never appeared in more than seven games in any of his first six seasons, but he finally stayed healthy last season and showed what he could do over the course of a full campaign.

Shough went 8-4 as Louisville's starter last season, completing 62.7 percent of his passes for 3,195 yards, 23 touchdowns and six interceptions.

It raised some eyebrows when the Saints took Shough in the second round since he will turn 26 during the first month of his rookie season, but if the plan was to start him right away, that pick makes a lot more sense.