Tyler Shough Succeeding Where Derek Carr Struggled in His First Week with the Saints
Rookie QB shows promise in early days as New Orleans searches for stability under center
The New Orleans Saints may finally have found the quarterback spark they were missing in 2023. Tyler Shough, a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, is off to a strong start in his first week with the team, quickly drawing comparisons to his predecessor, Derek Carr—who struggled to gain traction in his inaugural season in New Orleans.
Carr’s First Week Highlighted O-Line Struggles and Offensive Stagnation
Derek Carr’s Saints debut in 2023 was far from disastrous, but it foreshadowed the difficulties that would follow. In a narrow 16–15 win over the Tennessee Titans, Carr threw for 305 yards and one touchdown, showing early flashes of leadership. However, he was also sacked four times in that game—a red flag that pointed to protection issues and a lack of offensive cohesion that plagued much of the season.
Carr’s tenure was ultimately marred by inconsistency and injury. The Saints offense never found rhythm under his leadership, and the team failed to make a serious playoff push. By the end of his shortened season, Carr had logged 2,145 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and five interceptions in 10 games—numbers that fell short of expectations for a veteran acquisition.
Enter Tyler Shough: Strong First Impression at Saints Camp
Fast-forward to 2025, and rookie quarterback Tyler Shough has turned heads in just his first week of organized team activities. The former Texas Tech and Oregon quarterback has impressed coaching staff with his poise in the pocket, quick decision-making, and ability to stretch the field with deep throws.
Unlike Carr, whose play style was largely pocket-bound and methodical, Shough brings added mobility and a dual-threat capability that has opened up new playbook possibilities for the Saints. Coaches have praised his leadership and command of the huddle—rare qualities for a rookie just days into professional action.
Though padded practices and preseason games are still ahead, Shough’s early chemistry with receivers like Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed is already giving fans a reason to believe the team has turned the page on its quarterback woes.
A Tale of Two Quarterbacks: System Fit and Execution
Much of the difference between Carr and Shough appears to come down to fit. While Carr was a solid pro with a high football IQ, his style didn’t mesh well with the Saints’ evolving offensive philosophy. In contrast, Shough’s agility and improvisational skills offer a better match for the creative, tempo-based system offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is implementing this year.
Additionally, Shough seems unburdened by the pressure Carr faced as a high-profile veteran acquisition. With lower external expectations and more freedom to grow into the role, the rookie has so far thrived in the spotlight.
High Hopes Heading Into the 2025 Season
It’s still early in the process, and the NFL has a way of humbling even the most promising starts. But for now, Shough’s opening week with the Saints has been everything the team hoped for—and more. While Derek Carr’s time in New Orleans started with cautious optimism and ended in disappointment, Shough is writing a new story that Saints fans hope will have a much more successful ending.
As training camp and the preseason draw closer, all eyes will be on the young quarterback to see whether his strong first impressions can translate into sustained success. If his current trajectory holds, Tyler Shough may just be the answer New Orleans has been searching for under center.
