Although the postseason wasn’t in the cards for the New Orleans Saints this year, Louisiana has a lot to look forward to in the NFL new year.
The Saints are 5-3 since rookie second-round pick Tyler Shough took over at quarterback, including having won the last four games.
Shough has looked every bit the part of “the guy” in New Orleans. He has 2,125 passing yards, nine touchdowns, five interceptions, and a QB rating of 92.1 during his time starting for the Saints.
Kellen Moore on Tyler Shough’s ROY chances
Despite only playing ½ a season, Shough is firmly in the race for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
New Orleans head coach Kellen Moore addressed Shough’s chances to win the award during media availability on Monday.
“I think it’s a cool opportunity. Tyler’s earned it,” Moore told reporters. “He’s done a tremendous job of taking advantage of the opportunities that have been presented in front of him. He’s leading us in so many ways.
“It speaks to the way all of our team’s playing the last back end of the season. To be playing in the situation we’re playing in and to continue to compete the way our guys have competed, it shows the character of our guys and Tyler’s leading the way.”
Should Tyler Shough have started the whole season?
Former fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler started the first eight games as the Saints went 1-7 and Rattler had an 86.5 QB rating. Moore was asked if Shough should have started the whole season.
“I think you have to go through the entire process,” Moore said of the rookie quarterback.
“Spencer played some really good football at the beginning of the year. But behind the scenes, I felt like Tyler was progressing really well. I thought there were a ton of growth opportunities through being a scout team quarterback, being around the NFL. I thought he took tremendous steps through that journey."