Tyler Shough wins NFL Rookie of the Year after breakout Saints season

New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough has added a major honor to his debut NFL season. The 26-year-old has been named the Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Year, an award decided by fan voting across the league.The announcement came just hours before the annual NFL Honors ceremony, creating some confusion among fans about whether Shough had officially won the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year award. However, the fan-voted honor is separate from the AP award, which is decided by a panel of 50 media members.

A turnaround season for New Orleans Saints

The recognition marks a big milestone in what turned out to be a breakthrough season for the Saints’ young quarterback.

Shough did not begin the season as the Saints’ starting quarterback. He stepped into the spotlight in Week 8 after replacing Spencer Rattler and quickly changed the direction of the team’s campaign.

Once he became the starter, New Orleans finished the season with a 5-4 record over the final nine games. During that stretch, Shough completed nearly 69 percent of his passes, averaging around 250 yards per game. He threw 10 touchdowns, six interceptions, and added three rushing scores.

What made his performance more impressive was the situation around him. The Saints dealt with multiple injuries, including key offensive players like Alvin Kamara and Rashid Shaheed missing time. The team also relied on several practice squad players in the second half of the season.

Despite those challenges, Shough showed calmness in the pocket, strong decision-making, and leadership beyond his rookie status.“It’s an honor to be recognized by the fans,” Shough said in a team statement. “I couldn’t have done it without my teammates and coaches supporting me all season.”

How Tyler Shough changed the narrative

When the Saints selected Shough with the 40th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, many questioned the decision. Some believed the team reached too early for a quarterback.Shough completed 67.6 percent of his passes for 2,384 yards in his rookie season. While his numbers may not have led the league, his impact was clear.

He helped transform the Saints from a struggling squad into a competitive team with hope for the future.

The fan-voted award also places him in notable company. Past winners include established quarterbacks who went on to have strong NFL careers.Shough is also a finalist for the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year award, which will be announced during NFL Honors. Whether or not he wins that honor, his rookie campaign has already made a strong statement.Under head coach Kellen Moore, the Saints appear to have found their quarterback of the future. With a full offseason to prepare as the clear starter, expectations will only grow.