ESPN's Bill Barnwell is out here with a spicy take, pegging Saints quarterback Tyler Shough's trade value at less than a first-round pick. Yeah, you heard that right. The guy the Saints are banking on for their future, who they've even invested heavily in with their offense, isn't yet considered worth that top-tier draft capital by some around the league. It's a wake-up call, plain and simple, for a guy who's only scratched the surface.
Shough's Rookie Season Was Solid, But Not Enough
Look, Shough had a promising rookie season, stepping in as the second-half starter for the Saints. He went 5-4 in his nine starts, which is respectable. He proved he could be a solid starter, tossing for 2,384 yards, 10 touchdowns, and six interceptions with a 67.6 percent completion rate. Plus, he showed he could make plays with his legs, running for 186 yards on 45 attempts and punching in three scores. The Saints drafted him with a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and his play made that decision look smart. But here's the kicker: nine starts isn't a lot. It's just a half-season, not a full campaign. Barnwell's quote hits hard, saying teams would need to see a "full campaign from the soon-to-be-27-year-old" before they'd even consider sending a first-rounder to New Orleans. There's still some serious uncertainty about his game, apparently.The Big Prove-It Season Ahead for the Saints QB
So, what does this all mean? The Saints are still confident enough to hand Shough the keys for the 2026 season. They wanna see if he's truly their franchise guy. And honestly, he's got every chance to prove it. If he keeps playing at that "solid" level for a full year, the value goes up to at least a first-rounder. But if this dude absolutely thrives in 2026, leading the Saints deep into the playoffs? We're talking about a completely different ballgame, maybe even a couple of first-round picks. He's got all the tools, but Barnwell's projection is a clear signal: the NFL isn't fully convinced yet. Shough's promising, no doubt, but the spotlight is on him to deliver big in 2026 and leave no doubt he's the real deal.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.