Hall of Famer Drew Brees Endorses Tyler Shough’s Readiness to Lead Saints in 2026

Tyler Shough enters the 2026 season as the presumptive starting quarterback for the New Orleans Saints following a productive second half of the 2025 campaign. The second-round pick from the 2025 NFL Draft will have a full offseason and training camp to prepare for his expanded role, a significant advantage over the compressed timeline he faced last year when he took over mid-season.

Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Drew Brees, the Saints’ legendary former quarterback, recently assessed Shough’s prospects during an interview at Super Bowl week in February. Brees expressed confidence in the 25-year-old’s trajectory, noting that Shough demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities throughout the offseason by organizing team workouts and preparing his teammates for training camp.

Brees credited Shough’s seven-year college career—spanning Texas Tech, Oregon, and Louisville—as a foundation for maturity and resilience. The former quarterback highlighted how Shough overcame injuries and adversity across multiple programs, noting that the presence of Louisville coach Jeff Brohm, a former NFL quarterback, proved instrumental in convincing Shough that professional success was achievable.

After Spencer Rattler started the 2025 season, Moore handed offensive duties to Shough by Week 9. The young quarterback compiled a 5-4 record in nine starts, including a four-game winning streak that bolstered organizational confidence about the future direction of the franchise.

Brees emphasized that Shough’s mid-season insertion allowed him to observe professional schemes and decision-making before assuming full responsibility. He noted that Shough demonstrated incremental improvement throughout his tenure, showcasing physical tools comparable to Josh Allen’s combination of size, athleticism, and mobility.

The Saints organization has constructed a supportive infrastructure around their quarterback prospect. The team signed wide receiver Chris Olave to a long-term contract, drafted wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, acquired running back Travis Etienne Jr., retained running back Alvin Kamara, and invested in offensive line depth through recent draft selections at both tackle positions under head coach Kellen Moore’s offensive direction.