In a decisive shift for the New Orleans Saints, Tyler Shough stepped onto the field for his first significant play in the NFL during the team’s recent match against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With the Saints trailing 17-3 and struggling offensively—having managed only three points and committed three turnovers through nearly three quarters—head coach Kellen Moore made the call to bench quarterback Spencer Rattler in favor of Shough.
The Saints had hoped to ignite a spark during a season marked by challenges, entering the game with a dismal 1-6 record and ranking 25th in offensive stats. Shough, a second-round pick from Louisville in the NFL Draft, was given the opportunity to demonstrate his potential after Rattler’s lackluster performance, which included an interception and a lost fumble.
Shough stepped onto the field late in the third quarter, though conditions were far from ideal. On his first drive, he completed a pass to Chris Olave, only to see the play result in an interception when Olave was unable to secure the ball as he was hit by Bucs safety Antoine Winfield. This unfortunate turnover set the tone for an uphill battle.
Despite the rocky start, Shough showed signs of improvement on the next possession, leading the Saints past midfield for the first time in the game. However, a sack later derailed the drive, causing the team once again to turn the ball over on downs. Despite these setbacks, Shough managed to navigate the offense better than Rattler, completing 17 of 30 passes for 128 yards—though he still faced challenges with the Saints failing to sustain drives.
As the game approached its conclusion with the Bucs holding a firm 23-3 lead, Shough made one last attempt to put points on the board. He successfully moved the Saints into the red zone, reaching the 15-yard line, but was ultimately brought down for a game-ending sack as time expired.
The chances of Shough starting in the upcoming game against the Los Angeles Rams remain uncertain, as it is unclear whether the Saints will revert to Rattler or continue to give Shough the opportunity to showcase his skills. Given the circumstances, Shough’s performance demonstrated resilience and potential, leaving fans hopeful that he may bring a much-needed turnaround for a struggling New Orleans offense.