NEW ORLEANS — The Who Dat Nation has a new king in the bayou. New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough has officially claimed the 2025 Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Year award, capping a stunning debut campaign where he rewrote the franchise record books. In a fan vote that went down to the wire, Shough edged out heavy hitters like Giants QB Jaxson Dart and Patriots RB TreVeyon Henderson to bring the hardware home to the Superdome.
Rewriting History, One Throw at a Time
Shough didn’t just step into the starting role; he seized it with a grip of steel. The Louisville product finished the season with a 67.6 completion percentage, the highest mark among all rookies in the 2025 class. While critics initially questioned his durability coming out of college, Shough answered with elite precision, racking up 2,384 passing yards and a 91.3 passer rating—both ranking second among rookie signal-callers.
He shattered long-standing Saints rookie records, setting new franchise highs for passing yards, passing touchdowns (10), and completion percentage. For a team searching for its next franchise quarterback, Shough’s 2025 campaign offered more than just hope—it provided proof of concept.
The Week 17 Masterclass
If there was a moment Shough secured this award, it happened in Week 17. In a performance that looked more like a video game than real life, Shough torched the secondary with ruthless efficiency. He posted a completion percentage of 81.5% while throwing for 333 yards and a staggering 142.7 passer rating.
That stat line put him in rare air. Shough became only the second rookie in NFL history to hit those three benchmarks (80%+ completion, 300+ yards, 140+ rating) in a single game, joining Denver’s Bo Nix, who accomplished the feat twice just a season prior. That late-season surge earned him NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month honors for December/January and cemented his status as the draft class’s premier passer.
“I’m truly humbled and honored to be chosen for this award. Coming in as a rookie, my goal was to do anything I could to contribute to our team’s success. Whatever I was asked to do, I just wanted to help the team… This award is truly a reflection of all their hard work.” — Tyler Shough, Saints Quarterback
What This Means for 2026
Shough’s victory signals a massive shift in the NFC South’s power dynamics. With a full offseason as the unquestioned starter and a PFWA All-Rookie selection under his belt, expectations for his sophomore season will skyrocket. The Saints have found a rhythm offensively that they haven’t seen in years. Shough is also a finalist for the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, to be announced tonight at the NFL Honors in San Francisco—a potential double-dip that would silence any remaining doubters.
