Tyler Shough is already a Saints captain for the 2026 season, a massive vote of confidence for the young quarterback heading into his first full year as the starter. The New Orleans club named nine captains for the upcoming season, and Shough being among them tells you everything you need to know about where this team is headed.
Shough’s Rookie Numbers Show Why He’s Getting the Keys
This isn’t some ceremonial nod. Shough was the No. 40 overall pick last year, and he wasn’t just riding the bench. As a rookie, he appeared in 11 games, making nine starts, which is a serious workload for a first-year QB. He completed 67.6 percent of his passes for 2,384 yards, slinging 10 touchdowns against just six interceptions. Think about that: a rookie QB putting up those numbers and getting that much playing time right out of the gate. He even finished second in the AP offensive rookie of the year voting, only behind Panthers receiver Tetairoa McMillan. For the Saints to hand him the captaincy now, heading into his first full season leading the offense, it shows they truly believe he is the guy, right now.
Veteran Leadership Alongside Fresh Faces
While Shough’s captaincy is definitely the headline, New Orleans is also leaning on some serious veteran leadership. Defensive end Cameron Jordan is a captain for the 12th time, which is just wild to think about. This dude is entering his 16th pro season with the club, still setting the tone. Offensive lineman Erik McCoy, safety Justin Reid, and long snapper Zach Wood are all returning captains, providing that core stability. But it’s not just the old guard, right? Guard David Edwards, linebacker Kaden Elliss, linebacker Chris Rumph II, and edge rusher Chase Young are also first-time Saints captains alongside Shough. It’s interesting to note that Elliss and Young had worn captain patches for other teams before, so they know what it takes. This blend of experienced leaders and hungry new blood, with Shough at the helm, is a potent mix.
New Orleans kicks off their season on the road this Sunday against Detroit. With this new leadership group locked in, all eyes will be on how they start their campaign.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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