The New Orleans Saints signed rookie QB Tyler Shough to a guaranteed $10.7M deal in July 2025. Is this high-risk gamble the answer for their struggling offense?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Just as the New Orleans Saints are gearing up for training camp, the front office made a significant splash, signing rookie quarterback Tyler Shough to a fully guaranteed $10.7 million contract. The move signals a major investment in a player with intriguing potential but a concerning injury history, adding another layer of drama to a team already facing a mountain of questions on the offensive side of the ball.
A fully guaranteed $10.7 million for a rookie quarterback with a history of two broken collarbones and a fractured left fibula.
The Saints have officially placed their bet on the future, or at least a piece of it. Tyler Shough, the former Oregon and Texas Tech signal-caller, is now a Saint, backed by a fully guaranteed $10.7 million deal. It's a stunning commitment for a rookie, especially one whose college career was marred by significant injuries, including two broken collarbones and a fractured fibula. The front office clearly sees a high ceiling, but fans are right to be nervous about the risk involved. This contract ensures Shough will be a central figure in the team's plans as they search for long-term stability under center.
Shough's arrival doesn't solve the immediate problems plaguing an offense that finished a dismal 21st in the NFL last season. Key questions loom large as camp begins. What will Taysom Hill's role be as he recovers from a major ACL tear? Can the safety duo of Tyrann Mathieu and Justin Reid anchor the defense? And perhaps most critically, does the wide receiver room have enough juice? Veteran Brandin Cooks is back in the Big Easy, but he's trying to rebound from a career-low season hampered by a knee infection. The pressure is on for the entire unit to improve, from quarterback play to pass protection.
With a new quarterback to develop and an offense to fix, the spotlight naturally shifts to the coaching staff. The team recently featured its 2025 coaching lineup, highlighting both new additions and familiar faces like Keith Williams. This group is tasked with integrating Shough, revitalizing the receiving corps, and designing a scheme that can climb out of the league's bottom third. Their ability to develop players and adapt their strategy will be just as critical to the Saints' success as any player's health or performance.
The Saints have made their bet, locking in a rookie quarterback with a significant, guaranteed contract. Now, as the doors to training camp swing open, the real work begins. All eyes will be on the coaching staff to see if they can mold this raw talent, nurse veterans back to health, and finally find the answers to an offense that has left fans wanting more. The questions are set; the next few weeks will begin to provide the answers.
