The New Orleans Saints finally checked off a key offseason task recently. Inking quarterback Tyler Shough to his rookie contract had become a dark cloud over this portion of the offseason for the black and gold. Now, we know that Shough's deal has some intriguing parts to it as well.
Unique contract structure for Saints QB Tyler Shough
According to Nick Underhill, Tyler Shough's contract includes a unique piece to it when it comes to a benefit for the rookie. Shough will not have a base salary paid out over the course of the season, but he will instead have league minimum base salaries. The remainder will be in the form of a roster bonus paid all at once.
Tyler Shough got a nice little benefit in his contract. Value works out the same, but instead of having a base salary paid out over several months, he will have league minimum base salaries and the rest will be a roster bonus paid out all at once each year. A little QB benefit. -- Nick Underhill
This will allow a bit more year-long flexibility for the quarterback, and he will get a large lump sum at some point annually. Shough's contract is fully-guaranteed, joining many other second-round picks in that department.
This sort of contract caveat does not guarantee a thing for the young QB when it comes to a starting role, though. He still must go out there and beat Spencer Rattler in a QB competition over the next month and a half for New Orleans. Rattler is determined to get another shot, but Shough is hungry for his opportunity as well.
We will see how the battle shakes out for Kellen Moore's offense. Regardless, the Saints organization and Shough's camp created a unique deal for the 40th overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Tyler Shough Addressed Saints QB Competition With Fire
The New Orleans Saints got some of the business out of the way this week by signing Tyler Shough to his rookie deal.
Now, it’s almost time for things to take care of themselves on the field.
The Saints have one of the more interesting quarterback competitions in the league and it will like come down to Shough and Spencer Rattler for the starting job. Both have worked out with the team’s playmakers outside of organized practice time and both have said all of the right things so far this offseason.
We’re just days away from training camp kicking off and Shough continued to say the right things. He was asked by former NFL head coach Jon Gruden his mindset for the 2025 season and if he hopes to play a little bit, he responded by saying he’s ready to compete and used guys like Bo Nix as an example of someone who came out as a rookie and shined.
"No, man," Shough said. "My expectation is to go out there and play at the highest level I can. You saw it from Bo Nix and (Jayden Daniels) last year. Why not?"
That's the perfect mindset ahead of training camp and a quarterback competition. Now, Shough is signed and the compettion will kick off in the coming days. Who will come out on top, Shough or Rattler? Now, we won't have to wait much longer to find out. All in all, there are reasons to be excited right now in New Orleans.
