Tyler Shough’s NFL Rookie of the Year recognition marks one of the most unexpected stories of the season. The New Orleans Saints quarterback earned the fan-voted award after a debut year that defied early expectations.
Fans selected Shough for the honour, capping a remarkable rookie campaign. The award was announced ahead of the NFL Honours ceremony in San Francisco.
Shough entered the league as a second-round pick, selected 40th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. At 26, he arrived older than most rookies and with a long college journey behind him.
His path included stops at Oregon, Texas Tech, and Louisville. He began the season as the Saints’ third-string quarterback and did not make his first start until November.
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Turning around a struggling Saints season
When Shough first took over as a starter, the Saints were 1–7. Few expected a dramatic turnaround at that stage of the season.
Once given the starting role, Shough delivered steady and confident performances. He finished with a 5–4 record as a starter and helped stabilise the team during a difficult campaign.
Record-setting rookie performance
Shough made franchise history during his rookie season. He set Saints rookie records for passing yards and touchdown passes.
He finished the season with 2,384 passing yards and threw 10 touchdowns. He also posted the highest rookie completion percentage in franchise history at 67.6 per cent.
Congratulations to @tylershough2 on being voted the 2025 @pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Year! pic.twitter.com/Ga4yUoy0Ki
— NFL (@NFL) February 5, 2026Shough won the fan-voted NFL Rookie of the Year award over notable finalists. These included New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart and New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson.
The win highlighted strong fan support and recognition of Shough’s late-season impact. It also underscored how quickly his reputation grew after becoming the starter.
Shough accepted the fan-voted award before the NFL Honours ceremony. He will also compete for the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
A panel of media representatives will decide that honour. The outcome will be announced during the ceremony in San Francisco.
Shough’s season reshaped expectations for both player and team. He entered the year as a backup and finished as a cornerstone for the Saints’ future.
His performance turned a difficult season into a foundation for growth. The rookie quarterback now stands as one of the league’s most compelling breakout stories.
