The New Orleans Saints are tapping rookie Tyler Shough to start in their second preseason bout against the Jacksonville Jaguars this Sunday. Making headlines for his solid but not spectacular outing last weekend, Shough completed 15 out of 22 passes with one touchdown and an interception, as per a report by WGNO. The move by head coach Kellen Moore, as he continues to evaluate his options, places Shough in the spotlight following a rotation policy that had Spencer Rattler starting the previous game.
The decision comes after Shough's performance last Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers, where he reportedly amassed 165 passing yards, in contrast to Rattler's 53 and a fumble, noted NOLA.com. Shough's stats reflect a promising potential for the young quarterback, who ended that game with an 86.4 quarterback rating—outstripping Rattler's 75.2. In spite of an early setback with a pick six, Shough shook it off with subsequent touchdown passes during the game and this week's practice sessions.
Nevertheless, the QB competition remains heated with Rattler, who was a fifth-round pick from the previous year and has a history of six starts without a win for the team. Last Sunday, Rattler went 7-for-11 and was sacked thrice, leading to no scoring drives in his five series of play. Shough, on the other hand, conjured scoring drives and impressed during team's practices, particularly with a 60-yard touchdown pass to Mason Tipton. The quarterback affirmed his growing confidence with another touchdown throw to wide receiver Cedric Wilson, Jr. during the red zone period, according to an article from CBS Sports.
