Tyler Shough, a former college football player from Oregon, Texas Tech, and Louisville, was selected by the New Orleans Saints as their No. 40 pick in the 2025 NFL draft, not as a prospective franchise quarterback, but potentially to help them secure a better pick for Arch Manning in the 2026 draft. Despite his experience at multiple Power 4 programs, Shough's frequent transfers suggest impatience and a lack of leadership, and his performance metrics like accuracy and arm strength are not meeting expectations. The decision to pick Shough over other potential candidates like Shedeur Sanders may not be a major setback, but it was unpopular with a fanbase still recovering from Drew Brees' retirement. NFL teams are wary of inexperienced QBs, and Manning is expected to spend two years at Austin before declaring for the 2027 draft. The Saints' strategy seems to be a tank-centric approach, aiming to secure a prime draft position for Manning, who is seen as a highly desirable future prospect.

Tyler Shough was drafted by the New Orleans Saints with the 40th overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, despite not being seen as a future franchise quarterback for the team.

The Saints' choice of Shough is speculated to be part of a strategy to position themselves better in the 2026 draft for Arch Manning, a highly promising quarterback prospect.

Shough's college career included multiple transfers, which raises concerns about his leadership and patience, as frequent transfers can be perceived negatively in the NFL.

With Shough's current skill set falling short in areas like accuracy and arm strength, his selection over other potential players like Shedeur Sanders has not been well-received by fans.

The NFL's growing disinterest in inexperienced quarterbacks highlights the importance of Manning's expected two-year development period at Austin before potentially entering the 2027 draft.

New Orleans' decision not to select other quarterbacks could be viewed as an attempt to strategically position themselves for future drafts rather than focusing on immediate success.

The Saints' fanbase, still yearning for success after Drew Brees' retirement, views these strategic draft decisions with skepticism and hopes for more impactful selections in the future.

Tyler Shough, who spent his college football career at Oregon, Texas Tech, and Louisville, isn’t predicted to be the Saints’ franchise quarterback after New Orleans took him with the No. 40 pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

In fact, he may have been taken to do the opposite.

Yahoo Sports’ Andy Behrens predicted Shough helping the Saints land Arch Manning in the 2026 draft via a tank-centric effort under center.

“Tyler Shough is absolutely the type of QB who can help the Saints land Arch Manning in 2026. Great pick,” Behrens wrote.

Manning is likely to spend two years in Austin before declaring for the 2027 draft. The NFL is less interested in inexperienced QBs these days.

Shough, even at the age of 26 with experience starting at multiple Power 4 programs, is not what teams are looking for, though. Transferring isn’t an issue, but multiple transfers from a quarterback show impatience and a potential leadership void. Shough is already behind on accuracy and arm strength.

Not having intangibles to make up for it is a bad look for a second-round selection. Especially when Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler are your only two options given Derek Carr’s likely season-ending injury.

New Orleans passing on Shedeur Sanders for Shough may not prove to be a franchise-altering mistake, but if nothing else, making the opposite decision would’ve been more popular with a fanbase that’s had little to celebrate since Drew Brees’ retirement.