QB Tyler Shough finds himself in a position no quarterback wants to be in. The No. 40 overall pick was supposed to walk into New Orleans Saints training camp as the presumptive starter, but his contract holdout has created an opening for Spencer Rattler to make his case.
With Derek Carr’s retirement clearing the path, Shough’s absence from practice could cost him the job he was drafted to fill.
Why Is Timothy Jones Warning 2025 Draftee QB Tyler Shough About Missing Training Camp?
The contract dispute affecting second-round picks across the NFL has reached New Orleans, but Saints analyst Timothy Jones believes Shough’s situation is different from other holdouts.
While the Los Angeles Chargers deal with Tre Harris refusing to practice, and players like Jayden Higgins and Carson Schwesinger have secured fully-guaranteed contracts with Houston and Cleveland respectively, Shough faces unique pressure as a quarterback.
Jones explained his concerns about Shough’s holdout strategy in a recent social media post, emphasizing the rookie’s competitive disadvantage.
If Tyler Shough doesn’t report to #Saints training camp due to ongoing contract negotiations. This decision may not be beneficial for him from a competitive standpoint, as he will miss valuable practice reps. Additionally, it could strengthen Spencer Rattler’s case for being the…
— Timothy J Jones (@tjayjones8) July 14, 2025
“If Tyler Shough doesn’t report to #Saints training camp due to ongoing contract negotiations. This decision may not be beneficial for him from a competitive standpoint, as he will miss valuable practice reps.”
He continued, “Additionally, it could strengthen Spencer Rattler’s case for being the starting quarterback. However, I understand his desire to secure the best financial deal possible,” Jones said.
The timing of Shough’s holdout becomes more critical when considering the quarterback landscape. Only Cameron Ward and Jaxson Dart were selected ahead of Shough in the draft, with Ward securing the Tennessee Titans’ starting role and Dart expected to serve as QB3 for the New York Giants.
The Saints drafted Shough with starting intentions, especially given their uncertainty about Derek Carr’s future with the team.
How Do Shough and Rattler Compare in the Starting Competition?
While Shough negotiates his contract, Rattler gains valuable practice time and familiarity with the Saints’ system. The 24-year-old backup has NFL starting experience, though his 0-7 record tells a challenging story.
During his starting stint, Rattler threw more interceptions (5) than touchdowns (4) while completing 57% of his 228 passing attempts. His 1,317 passing yards averaged 188 per game, production that falls short of NFL standards for winning football.
Meanwhile, Shough’s collegiate resume at Louisville presents a different picture. His final season produced 3,195 passing yards with 23 touchdowns against just six interceptions, leading the Cardinals to an 8-4 record in conference play (5-3).
The rookie demonstrated consistency with four games exceeding 300 passing yards and four additional contests with 264 yards or more.
The Cardinals’ competitiveness under Shough’s leadership shows in their close losses. Their three defeats came by a combined 17 points, with two losses coming against ranked opponents.
This performance backdrop explains why the Saints viewed Shough as their future starter, particularly after Carr’s retirement solidified the team’s need for a long-term solution at quarterback.
