Tyler Shough is stepping into his NFL journey with humility, gratitude, and what he calls a “fighter’s mentality.” The 26-year-old quarterback, selected by the New Orleans Saints with the 40th overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, has already endured a whirlwind few months since receiving the life-changing phone call on April 25.
Tyler Shough entered training camp in an intense quarterback competition with Spencer Rattler following the retirement of veteran Derek Carr. After a battle that lasted through the final preseason game, Rattler a 2024 fifth-round pick was named the Saints’ Week 1 starter on Sept. 7. Still, Shough says the decision hasn’t rattled him.
“It’s all about earning your role,” Tyler Shough said. “Nothing’s given right now. Nothing’s really expected. I got to continue to grow in the playbook and master that, and do everything I can to put myself in the best position.”
A Journey of Adversity
Tyler Shough’s road to the NFL has been anything but straightforward. Over seven seasons in college football, he played for Oregon (2018–2020), Texas Tech (2021–2023), and Louisville (2024), navigating transfers, new locker rooms, and fresh leadership challenges.
“I think going through all those college experiences, all that adversity helped me sharpen my mind and turn me into who I am today,” he said. “I’ve had to make new relationships at each spot. I’ve had to find my own role as a leader.”
Tyler Shough credits his mother for instilling the fighting spirit that has carried him through those transitions, as well as his wife, Jordan, who he says has been a cornerstone in his career.
“The fact that he can be that phenomenal of a human being and then also turn on this ultra competitive switch and be a killer on the field … it’s so cool to witness and I’m so proud of that,” Jordan said.
Finding His Place in the Locker Room
As a rookie quarterback in a locker room full of seasoned NFL veterans, Shough acknowledges the delicate balance of respecting experience while carving out his own role.
“You want to respect the veterans and everything they’ve done, but you also still want to be yourself,” he explained. “For me, it’s about proving myself and earning everybody’s respect rather than thinking I’m owed something, because I’m not.”
That mindset, he says, comes from a mental shift that took hold during his lone season at Louisville, where he stopped comparing himself to other quarterbacks and focused on maximizing every opportunity.
“I’ve always believed in my physical abilities,” Tyler Shough said. “But the biggest thing was the mental switch learning to just play free and be grateful for the chance.”
NFL Debut and What’s Next
Tyler Shough made his NFL preseason debut during the Saints’ quarterback competition and saw late game action during New Orleans’ 44–13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 21. While he has yet to play significant regular-season minutes, Shough remains committed to preparation.
“The biggest thing I want to show is just how hard I play every single snap,” he said. “I want the fans to know I’m here to stay for everybody, for the city, and they’re going to get everything out of me.”
On Sept. 28 the same day he turned 26 Tyler Shough watched his team take on the Buffalo Bills, marking another milestone in what he hopes will be a long career in the NFL.
For now, Tyler Shough says his mission is simple: stay ready, keep growing, and honor the chance he’s earned. “I want to continue to be grateful,” he said. “And just fight for my role every day.”