The New Orleans Saints start their season in 59 days against the Arizona Cardinals. In the Saints season opener last year, the first touchdown was a deep shot to Rashid Shaheed. There's a chance that can happen again regardless if Spencer Rattler or Tyler Shough was the quarterback.
Shaheed caught a pass from Derek Carr and stumbled into the end zone after hauling it in. Notably, the reception came with the Panthers' top corner, Jaycee Horn, in coverage. It was an explosive start to the game and season. Don't be so sure the Saints won't run it back with a different quarterback.
The deep shot to Rashid Shaheed has been extremely effective over the last two seasons. It's naturally not a high percentage play, but Shaheed has made the most of his targets down the field. As one of the top wide receivers on the team, the expectation should be for his best trait to be utilized frequently.
Spencer Rattler/Tyler Shough to Rashid Shaheed touchdown in the season opener is a strong possibility
While the circumstances around this play are very specific, the odds of everything repeating are far from slim. Shaheed would probably have the third best odds to score the first touchdown of the year. Only Chris Olave and Alvin Kamara stand a definitively better chance.
You also have to take a look at the quarterbacks. Tyler Shough's arm talent has been his defining trait through the offseason. His biggest flashes have been out routes and deep shots. Whether his willingness to go down field continues won't be known, but it's safe to assume Shough won't be afraid to throw the ball far.
Rattler and Shaheed never really got the chance to play together last year. Rattler didn't go downfield a lot in his rookie campaign, but there's multiple factors that could go into that, such as comfortability, protection and tendencies. The first two should improve in 2025, so Rattler may be more aggressive in Year 2.
The odds of Shough taking the top off the defense with a pass to Shaheed for the first touchdown of the year seem higher. Mix Shough's arm talent with Shaheed's reliability as a deep threat and it's a match made in heaven. There's already a nickname for the play too "Shough it. Shaheed's over there somewhere."
