The New Orleans Saints’ 2025 season, defined by a first-year head coach and a rookie quarterback, concluded with a sense of foundational progress despite an overall losing record. The team finished 6-11, but a pivotal shift occurred after Tyler Shough replaced Spencer Rattler as the starting quarterback, leading to a 5-4 finish over the final nine games.
This mid-season turnaround provided a critical evaluation of Shough, who entered the league as a developmental project. After losing the initial starting competition to Rattler, Shough dedicated himself to excelling on the scout team. Head coach Kellen Moore told Pro Football Talk that Shough’s approach was proactive: he committed to mastering the offense’s concepts by simulating opponents and testing his own decision-making in practice scenarios.
Moore observed tangible improvement in Shough’s composure and processing speed as the season progressed. The quarterback’s ability to operate effectively in the pocket and make correct decisions when plays broke down was a noted area of growth. For 2026, Shough is slated to receive the majority of first-team repetitions throughout the organized team activities, training camp, and preseason. This full offseason with the core offense, Moore indicated, will be the next essential step in his development.
The Saints’ organization now views its quarterback and head coach as central, long-term pieces. A significant measure of future success will be the team’s ability to end a prolonged playoff drought, having not reached the postseason since the tenure of quarterback Drew Brees and head coach Sean Payton. Shough’s continued progression and the offensive system installed by Moore are positioned as the primary catalysts for a potential return to contention next season.
