Rookie of the Year Hype Increasing for Saints QB Tyler Shough

The Rookie of the Year hype is heating up for Tyler Shough after an impressive performance in a win over the Tennessee Titans. The hype is now undeniable.

Shough joined elite company in his latest three-game run of success. Yardbarker's Eric Smithling took notice. Smithling shared the following on Shough's Rookie of the Year campaign.

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"Per Stathead research, he became just the second rookie to have a game completing 80 percent of his passes for over 300 yards, multiple passing touchdowns and no interceptions, joining Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, who accomplished the feat twice a season ago.

Through Shough's first eight starts, he's been by far the league's best rookie quarterback, taking over for a 1-7 team and leading it to a 5-3 record. He's 181-of-260 (69.6 percent) for 1,997 yards (249.6 yards per game), nine touchdowns and four interceptions since Week 9.

Since 2000, only Jayden Daniels and Ben Roethlisberger, two Rookie of the Year winners, posted a higher completion percentage in their first eight starts as a rookie. His 1,997 passing yards are the most in a rookie quarterback's first eight starts since C.J. Stroud, another OROY honoree, threw for 2,270 in 2023."

Not everyone is claiming Shough as their Rookie of the Year. Certainly, Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward and New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart have posted impressive seasons in their own right. Yet while there isn't much separation in full season statistics, it's clear that Shough's last three games stand out above the other two quarterbacks at any given point this season.

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Rookie quarterbacks simply don't complete 80% of their passes and go for 300 yards with two touchdowns and no turnovers often. What Shough has accomplished over the Saints' four-game winning streak, after the team started the season 6-10, is unparalleled by any of his peers.

Dart may have more touchdowns, and Ward may have more yards, but Shough is developing into what many view as a sure-fire NFL franchise quarterback. That fact is nearly as rare as what Shough is doing over the past three games on the field.

The Saints have talent. That said, outside of star receiver Chris Olave, New Orleans had perhaps more playmakers injured than healthy on Sunday. And despite the lack of weapons at his disposal, Shough continued to find a way to move the ball down the field.

The Rookie of the Year race may run through New Orleans. Shough will look to slam the door on the race with a convincing win over the Atlanta Falcons.