Tyler Shough walked into the NFL expecting a rough start, and so far, life with the New Orleans Saints has delivered just that. For fans hoping to watch the rookie quarterback find his groove, the early signs have been hard to ignore, especially as Shough fights for his spot in a crowded quarterback room. The pressure in New Orleans is real, and every snap from Shough gets dissected as fans, coaches, and analysts wonder if he can live up to hopes for the 2024-25 campaign, or if the Saints will be searching for answers sooner rather than later.
How Did Tyler Shough Do During Week 2 of the Preseason Versus Jacksonville?
Shough started under center against the Jacksonville Jaguars, playing with the Saints’ home crowd behind him. Fans came in hoping to see something new from the rookie, maybe a spark that would hint he’s ready for the starting job. In the first preseason game versus the Los Angeles Chargers, Shough had a few nice moments, including hitting Mason Tipton for a long touchdown, but threw a tough interception that made people nervous.
This time around, things didn’t get much better. The Saints’ offense struggled with Shough in charge, managing two drives that went three-and-out, one short and forgettable five-play series, and a single, longer 10-play drive where Shough looked a little sharper. That last drive stood out as his best moment of the day, but it wasn’t enough to change the overall feeling in the stadium.
.@Saints TE Treyton Welch goes up and makes a spectacular catch 🔥
Watch on @NFLNetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/45RvYtbbIo
— NFL (@NFL) August 17, 2025
With another performance that didn’t move the needle, it’s easy to see why Shough wasn’t seen as a first-round pick and often wasn’t ranked among the top three quarterbacks coming out of college. His play stuck to the playbook, rarely breaking outside the lines, so fans who were craving that new quarterback excitement weren’t getting it.
Shough wrapped up the game, going 9-for-12 for 66 yards, failing to score a touchdown. The completion rate looked good on paper, but the offense just couldn’t get rolling, and the numbers didn’t tell the whole story of how the night went. The rookie remains in a battle for the starting job with Spencer Rattler, a second-year quarterback also trying to prove he can be the leader the Saints need. Right now, it’s Rattler’s race to lose.
NFL Fans React to Shough’s Performance
The internet wasted no time weighing in on Shough’s showing against the Jaguars, and fans did not hold back:
“I’m watching the Saints and Jaguars play and I don’t see a motivated team. Unfortunately I think I’m right about the quarterback situation they need to try trading for a quality quarterback Tyler Shough looks like a bust. Now what can we get from Rattler in the second half,” a fan wrote on X.
I’m watching the Saints and Jaguars play and I don’t see a motivated team. Unfortunately I think I’m right about the quarterback situation they need to try trading for a quality quarterback Tyler Shough looks like a bust. Now what can we get from Rattler in the second half
— remus bowman (@remusbowman) August 17, 2025
Others took a more protective stance, blaming the situation around Shough, especially the offensive line and roster. One fan compared things to David Carr’s early days with the Houston Texans:
“Honestly, I think the Saints should shelf Tyler Shough. They can not put that guy out there Week 1 with this o-line and talent. They are going to David Carr this boy if they are not careful,” he wrote.
Honestly
I think the Saints should Shelf Tyler Shough.
They can not put that guy out there week 1 with this o line and talent. They are going to David Carr this boy if they are not careful!!!— The Saints Sports Corner (@TSSportsCorner) August 17, 2025
Plenty of fans also still have strong feelings about the Saints’ decision to draft Shough instead of Shedeur Sanders, a pick that was debated heavily on draft day. Most analysts were quick to rate Sanders higher, and the criticism from fans hasn’t quieted down:
“Saints really chose Tyler Shough over Shedeur Sanders… Such a unserious franchise.”
Saints really chose tyler shough over shaduer sanders… such a unserious franchise
— 𝕾𝖒𝖔𝖐𝖊 𝖀𝖓𝖔 (@shmokayyy) August 17, 2025
Now, the Saints close out the preseason next Saturday against the Denver Broncos, and Shough gets one last chance to show he can handle the starting quarterback job in New Orleans as the 2024-25 campaign approaches.
