Baltimore Ravens Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver isn’t holding back when he talks about New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough. Weaver straight up called the second-year signal-caller “a poor man’s Josh Allen,” but get this: he means it as a massive compliment. According to NFL.com, Weaver emphasized that Shough has “all the arm talent in the world [and] can run,” arguing the kid doesn’t get enough credit for his athleticism. It’s a bold comparison, and it tells you everything you need to know about how the league is viewing Shough’s upside.
Weaver’s Take and Shough’s Uncut Raw Talent
Weaver’s not just blowing smoke here. He sees Shough as a legitimate threat, especially in the red zone. “Particularly as you get down to the low red [zone], we are constantly going to be conscious of just his ability to scramble and create those extended plays , no different than our guy with eight [quarterback Lamar Jackson],” Weaver stated. That’s high praise, putting Shough in company with one of the most dynamic QBs in the game. Weaver also believes the more reps Shough gets, the more confident he’ll become within the Saints’ scheme and with his supporting cast. He even pointed out the Saints have done a good job building talent around Shough, praising their “tremendous skill players” and an upgraded offensive line from a year ago. Sounds like a guy who knows what he’s talking about, especially considering Weaver saw Shough as a rookie in Week 13 last season when he was the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator, saying he “was impressed with him then.”
The Week 1 Comeback That Fell Short
Shough just put on a wild show in Week 1, even if it ended in a heartbreaking loss. The Saints were down 21-0 to the Detroit Lions with 8:54 left in the third quarter, and Shough had thrown two interceptions. It looked like a total collapse. But he stormed back, pushing the game to overtime before a failed two-point conversion with 1:34 left ultimately sealed their 31-30 defeat. The numbers were still eye-popping: 410 passing yards, three touchdowns, those two interceptions, an 87.6 passer rating, and 62.5% completion. That kind of grit and production, even in a loss, shows exactly why a coach like Weaver is so impressed. This isn’t just about stats, it’s about the fight.
Last season, Shough, a 6-foot-5 signal-caller drafted with the No. 40 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, started nine games and appeared in 11, tallying 2,384 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, six interceptions, and a 91.3 passer rating, completing 67.6% of his passes. He also added 186 rushing yards and three ground touchdowns, leading the Saints to a 5-4 record in his starts despite a collegiate career plagued by injuries, including two broken collarbones and a broken fibula.
Now, Shough and the Saints head into Week 2 looking to prove that Week 1’s comeback power wasn’t a fluke. They’re up against Weaver’s Ravens, who are fresh off a dominant 41-23 road win over the Indianapolis Colts. This is a massive test for Shough, and everyone will be watching to see if he can deliver on that “Josh Allen” potential.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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