New Orleans Saints: Tyler Shough Breaks 44-Year Drought for Saints
The New Orleans Saints actually won a football game. You might have to read that a couple of times to let it sink in. Now, think about the guy who did it...the guy who led them to victory...it was a rookie quarterback.
For the first time in what feels like an eternity, the Saints gave fans across Louisiana something to cheer about. Snapping their losing streak and beating the Carolina Panthers 17-7, with 26-year-old rookie Tyler Shough as their starter.
A Saints Rookie QB Won a Game...No, You're Not Dreaming
After a rough first start against the Los Angeles Rams where the whole team looked lost, nobody really knew what to expect. But Shough came out against Carolina and looked like a completely different player. He was poised, he was accurate, and he wasn't making mistakes.
He finished the day 19-of-27 for 282 yards and two big-time touchdowns, with zero interceptions. He looked comfortable. He looked like he belonged. That's something Saints fans, even all the way up here in the Ark-La-Tex, have been desperate to see.
A Rookie QB Won. What's the Big Deal?
Okay, now for the crazy part. This isn't just any win. This is historic. You have to ask yourself...when was the last time a rookie quarterback actually won a start for the New Orleans Saints? Go ahead, try to guess.
You'll be guessing for a while. The last time it happened was November 8, 1981. 1981...Ronald Reagan was in his first year as president. "Raiders of the Lost Ark" was the biggest movie. No rookie quarterback since Dave Wilson in 1981 won a game for the Saints as their starting QB.
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The man who did it back then was Dave Wilson, a 1st Round pick in the 1981 Supplemental draft out of Illinois. He entered the Supplemental Draft due to eligibility issues with the NCAA.
Wilson was brought in by Head Coach Bum Phillips to learn from Archie Manning, and was forced into duty his rookie year. He started 4 games, and went 1-3 during those starts. He would miss the 1982 season with a bad knee injury. He came back in 1983, and spent his whole career with the Saints. Over the course of his whole Saints career, he was 12-19 as a starter. He threw for 6,987 yards, 36 touchdowns, and 55 interceptions.
Since then...nothing. Decades of failed draft picks, backups, and fill-ins. The Saints held the longest, most embarrassing rookie QB drought in the entire NFL.
Until Sunday. Tyler Shough, in just his second start, did something no Saints rookie has done in over four decades. He won. He broke the streak.
This Wasn't Just a "Lucky" Win
This wasn't a game the Saints won by accident. Shough was making plays. He completely changed the feel of the offense. He was uncorking deep balls, like the 62-yard touchdown BOMB he threw to Chris Olave.
It was the kind of aggressive, confident play-calling Kellen Moore was brought in to create. He was 7-for-10 on third downs, throwing for 201 yards and both his touchdowns when it mattered most. That's how you win in this league.
What Does This Mean for the Saints QB Room?
This win makes the whole quarterback situation fascinating. The Saints spent a high second-round pick...40th overall...on Shough, the highest they've taken a QB since Archie Manning. They had to see what he could do.
The weird part is that Shough, the rookie, is 26 years old. He's a full year older than Spencer Rattler, the 26-year-old guy he replaced who has a year of NFL service time already under his belt. That's why the team couldn't just let him sit. The clock was already ticking. Now, after a game like this, you have to believe the starting job is his to lose.
Is There Hope for the New Orleans Saints?
Let's not get too crazy. The Saints are still 2-8. This season has been a brutal watch. But this win...this win feels different. It's the first time in a long time the Saints have looked like they have a potential answer at the most important position in sports.
The team now heads into a much-needed bye week with some positive momentum. They have two full weeks to build on this good feeling before they come home to face the Atlanta Falcons. For the first time in a long time, there's a reason to be excited.