Saints Turn to Rookie Tyler Shough as Starting Quarterback for Remainder of 2025 Season

The quarterback transition in New Orleans became official after Week 8’s 17-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Spencer Rattler, who started the season as QB1, was pulled in the second half following a stagnant showing — completing just 15 of 39 passes for 139 yards with one interception and three sacks. In his place, rookie Tyler Shough took the field, marking the beginning of a new era for a Saints team searching for identity and direction.

Head coach Kellen Moore confirmed the decision earlier this week, announcing that Shough will start for the remainder of the 2025 season. The move reflects a long-term focus rather than a short-term fix, as New Orleans shifts its attention from salvaging wins to evaluating its young talent. “We want to give Tyler a real opportunity to grow into this role,” Moore said, emphasizing consistency and development over weekly uncertainty.

It’s been a turbulent quarterback stretch for New Orleans since Derek Carr’s retirement. Rattler flashed moments of competence but never established rhythm in Moore’s timing-based offense. The unit has struggled to sustain drives, convert in the red zone, and protect the football — issues that have compounded over the first half of the season.

Shough, a second-round draft pick known for his size, arm strength, and quick release, now inherits the challenge of reigniting the Saints’ offense. His poise and decisiveness could align better with Moore’s scheme, which relies on structure, tempo, and clean reads from the pocket.

1. The Moore-Shough Blueprint: Simplicity and Rhythm

Kellen Moore’s offensive system is built on rhythm passing, movement plays, and balance between the run and short-to-intermediate routes. Shough’s first test will be adapting to those mechanics under live game pressure — particularly behind an offensive line that has struggled to protect consistently. The rookie’s athleticism gives Moore flexibility to design rollouts and play-action passes that simplify defensive reads. Expect more defined progressions and quicker decisions, allowing Shough to get the ball out fast and neutralize opposing pass rushes. His willingness to attack intermediate windows — an area Rattler often hesitated — could open up the offense and create momentum early in drives. For now, Moore’s focus is on clean execution, ball control, and eliminating negative plays. Too often, the Saints’ offense has stalled due to penalties, sacks, or turnovers at key moments. Shough’s success will hinge less on explosive plays and more on keeping the unit on schedule. Still, there’s optimism surrounding his skill set. Scouts have praised Shough’s mental processing and arm mechanics, noting his ability to stay composed under pressure. If he can combine that composure with improved situational awareness, New Orleans might finally have a young quarterback worth building around.

2. Transitioning from Evaluation to Development

While Spencer Rattler’s demotion wasn’t unexpected, it does signal the end of another short-lived chapter in the Saints’ quarterback carousel. Rattler was serviceable — roughly maintaining a 1:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio — but lacked the dynamic edge that could elevate a limited offense. The decision to turn the page now gives New Orleans clarity heading into a crucial offseason. Moore and general manager Mickey Loomis are using the remainder of 2025 to assess the roster around their rookie signal-caller. That includes evaluating offensive line protection, receiver development, and the fit between Shough and Moore’s playbook. The Saints want to know, by season’s end, whether Shough can be their long-term starter or if quarterback remains a top draft priority. Shough’s first full start will come against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 9 — a trial by fire against one of the league’s most aggressive defensive fronts. The following stretch includes matchups with several top-10 defenses, a gauntlet that should accelerate his learning curve and test his pocket awareness. For the Saints, success won’t be measured in wins and losses but in visible progress. Consistent reads, improved protection calls, and better red-zone execution will serve as early signs that Shough is adapting to the speed of the NFL game.

3. Building a Future Around a Rookie Quarterback

The Saints’ pivot to Tyler Shough is as much about vision as it is necessity. Sitting at 1-7, the team has little to lose by handing the reins to a young quarterback and everything to gain in long-term development. Moore’s offensive identity — built on efficiency, tempo, and discipline — now rests in the hands of a player who represents the franchise’s next generation. Offensively, Moore and Shough will lean heavily on short passing and play-action to establish rhythm early. Expect running back Alvin Kamara and tight end Juwan Johnson to be featured more prominently as safety valves while Shough acclimates to defensive disguises and pressure looks. The coaching staff also plans to adjust the tempo, using no-huddle sequences to help the rookie stay comfortable and keep defenses off balance. Defensively, the Saints’ top priority will be creating manageable game scripts — forcing turnovers, controlling possession, and giving their rookie quarterback shorter fields to work with. If that complementary formula holds, New Orleans can remain competitive while building continuity for the future. Ultimately, the Saints’ decision to start Shough marks a clear commitment to youth and patience. The path ahead will likely include growing pains, but it also provides a critical window for both the player and the organization to define their identity beyond 2025.