Saints Camp Heats Up—And So Does the Hype Around Rookie QB Tyler Shough

You ever get that feeling when someone just has something about them? That was the vibe day 1 at Saints minicamp. Tyler Shough might be new to the NFL, but the guy’s already turning heads in New Orleans.

Now, before anyone gets carried away, yes, it’s just minicamp. And no, we’re not crowning him QB1 yet. But if you were out at the Saints’ practice facility Tuesday afternoon, sweating it out under the Louisiana sun, you probably caught yourself squinting and asking, “Who’s that tall dude slinging darts?” The Saints’ second-round pick in the 2025 Draft.

Picked 40th overall, Shough’s story isn’t your typical draft fairytale. He spent seven years in college, bouncing around and fighting off multiple season-ending injuries. That kind of resume doesn’t scream “Day 1 Starter,” but it does scream “resilient,” and that’s the word Saints vet Cam Jordan used—well, sort of.

Jordan joined the Up & Adams show and couldn’t help but gush about Shough. But instead of diving into X’s and O’s, he hit on something more personal: Arizona pride. “Arizona boy, love it,” Jordan said, grouping Shough with himself and fellow QB competitor Spencer Rattler. “You’re gonna get a player who’s not afraid of the grind... and somewhere down the line, you’ll be saying, ‘Dang, that guy put together a heck of a career.’”

That’s high praise from a guy who’s been anchoring the Saints' D-line for over a decade.

Shough’s in a QB room with Rattler, Jake Haener, and Hunter Dekkers, but Tuesday’s practice made it pretty clear: the rookie and Rattler are the two main guys battling it out for snaps right now. Both took 16 reps during seven-on-seven periods. The play-calling was conservative—think quick outs, check-downs, and keeping the ball under 10 yards—but there were flashes.

Rattler had the throw of the day, hitting running back Xazavian Valladay in stride on a wheel route that split two defenders. Shough didn’t hit anything deep, but he almost made two highlight plays. One was a rocket to Brandin Cooks that showed off NFL-caliber arm strength—it was just a tick late. The other was a well-placed sideline shot to Moochie Dixon that didn’t count because Dixon couldn’t get both feet in.

So yeah, the big throws weren’t landing yet, but the tools? They’re there. No turnovers, clean footwork, good decision-making. That's a solid foundation in your first taste of pro action.

Meanwhile, the Saints' camp crowd was buzzing—not just about Shough. Alvin Kamara was back doing his thing, juking ghosts in drills. Kicker Blake Grupe nailed a 61-yarder like it was nothing. And if you’re wondering about Taysom Hill, he was present but didn’t suit up. Still recovering from his December ACL tear, Hill watched from the sideline, and Coach Kellen Moore kept things vague about his return. Translation: don’t hold your breath for training camp.

Speaking of Moore, this was his first minicamp as Saints head coach, and let me tell you—it’s Idaho everywhere. Moore (Boise State legend) has packed his staff and roster with guys who’ve got ties to the Gem State. You’ve got offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, assistant coach Scott Linehan, and Mike Martinez who is on the staff. On the field, there’s Cedrick Wilson Jr., Jonah Williams, and of course, Hill—aka the Swiss Army Knife of the NFL.

Moore’s building a program his way, with familiar faces and trust already in place. And right now, he’s watching closely to see which quarterback can make the jump from "guy with potential" to "guy who can lead this team."

So what’s next?

More heat, more reps, and more chances for Shough to prove he’s not just a camp curiosity. The arm talent is real. The story’s gritty. And in a quarterback room with question marks, don’t be surprised if Shough writes his own answer. Stay tuned. This battle’s just getting started—and if you’re a Saints fan, it’s a pretty fun one to watch.