By admin 
The NFL landscape is constantly evolving, with new talents emerging and established players seeking to elevate their game each season. As the league gears up for the 2026 NFL season, whispers from scouts, executives, and coaches are coalescing around a select group of players poised for significant leaps. Among the most frequently mentioned names, generating considerable buzz for a potential breakout season, is New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough. Insiders around the league are increasingly identifying him as a rising star, with some suggesting he is "better set up for success" than any other young quarterback in the league.
The sentiment surrounding Shough is remarkably positive. An NFL executive, speaking anonymously, declared, "There’s no young quarterback better set up for success than Shough." This bold assertion stems from a confluence of factors, including the Saints’ strategic investments in their offensive infrastructure and the continued development of their existing playmakers. The executive further elaborated on the Saints’ promising situation: "Kellen Moore is a brilliant offensive mind, for starters. And look what they surrounded him with. He already had [wide receiver Chris] Olave and [tight end Juwan] Johnson. And in the right hands, Travis Etienne is a terrific running back – way better than Alvin Kamara at this stage. In a bad division, they could surprise some people. And his numbers could pop."
This optimistic outlook is further bolstered by Shough’s performance in his rookie season. Despite making only nine starts, he demonstrated flashes of brilliance that have convinced many that he was the best quarterback in the 2025 draft class. Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports noted that even the Saints organization was initially unsure of what they had in their second-round pick, but by the end of the year, Shough had made a compelling case for being their quarterback of the future. Vacchiano highlighted Shough’s statistical output: a 67.6% completion rate, 2,384 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Furthermore, his mobility was evident with 186 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
One NFC scout echoed the sentiment, stating, "I don’t think there was a better rookie quarterback last year. Maybe [Giants quarterback Jaxson] Dart will be better because he’s a real true dual-threat quarterback. But Shough has the ability to be an outstanding passer. And he’s certainly in the right hands." The scout’s confidence in Shough’s passing prowess, coupled with his efficiency and poise under pressure, has led to high expectations for his second year in offensive coordinator Kellen Moore’s system. The executive added, "He was good at everything. But mostly he was poised and efficient and really ran that offense well without a lot of mistakes. Moore will push him more this season, and I think he’s up to the task."
While the outlook is overwhelmingly positive, a setback for Shough occurred with the hamstring injury sustained by rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson. An executive described Tyson as a player who "might be the best receiver in the draft," and his absence for at least the first four weeks, with potential to miss until mid-October, is undeniably a blow. However, even this potential disruption is viewed with a degree of measured optimism. "That’s a blow for sure," admitted one NFC scout. "But I think there’s still enough there for Shough to grow. Look at what he did last year. He’s got a much better team around him now."
Shough’s journey to the NFL is a testament to his resilience and determination. Taken in the second round of the 2025 draft, he was the third quarterback selected, following Cam Ward and Jaxson Dart. He initially lost the training camp battle to Spencer Rattler but ultimately earned the starting role for the final games of the season. His 5-4 record as a starter provided a solid foundation for growth. Eric D. Williams of Fox Sports noted that talent evaluators observed a significant improvement in Shough’s ability to handle pocket pressure as his rookie season progressed. A senior NFL talent evaluator stated, "Shough took a large leap last year in the last quarter of the season handling pocket pressure. I think a full offseason with Kellen Moore will pay more dividends. A strong offensive line, nice receiving options and a proven offensive coach puts him in a great situation."
Adding to Shough’s potential is his extensive collegiate experience. At 26 years old, his seven years in college, including a crucial final season at Louisville, have provided him with a maturity and understanding of the game that many younger quarterbacks lack. A longtime NFL scout commented on this advantage: "He is an experienced college QB who is coupled with a good player caller in the head coach. He made a jump in the last part of the season, and I expect that to continue. The head coach will play to his strengths."
Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm, who coached Shough during his transfer year, provided invaluable insight into his quarterback’s character and potential. Brohm recalled Shough’s arrival at Louisville: "For us, when we took him out of the portal, he wasn’t one of the hot names at all. He was somebody who had been injured and kind of gone through some ups and downs – been a starter, been benched – whether it was due to injury or whatever. And I think he wanted one last chance to show what he was made of." Brohm emphasized the strategic shift in Louisville’s offensive approach to better suit Shough’s strengths and mitigate injury risks, stating, "We wanted a guy who was hungry and wanted to make one year work. He wanted to prove he was durable. And when we researched it, when he got hurt a lot of times, it was because of designed runs. I told him we’re not going to do that; we’re going to run more of an NFL system here. We can work around that and get it to our running backs, and that’s what we did. He lasted all year."
This approach proved highly successful. In his lone season at Louisville, Shough completed 63% of his passes for 3,195 yards, with 23 touchdowns and just six interceptions, leading the Cardinals to a 9-4 record. Brohm praised Shough’s durability, leadership, and grit: "He was durable. He did a great job and played well in games. He was a good leader, had a good arm. He’s a natural leader and guys liked him. He was very approachable; he played hard and tough, and had grit. And when things didn’t go well, he didn’t point the finger at anybody. He just had a natural way to lead. He had really good qualities and intangibles that carried over to his talent and skill."
Shough’s impressive performance at the NFL Combine, where he displayed a strong arm and ran a 4.63-second 40-yard dash, further enhanced his draft stock. Brohm was not surprised by Shough’s immediate success in the NFL, predicting a solid career. "I had a feeling that whoever took him was going to really like what they got," Brohm stated. "And I think that definitely showed through in the first year of his NFL career. He’s in a good system. It’s always great to start the year not as the starter, but as the backup. Which I thought was great because I knew maybe they wouldn’t perform well, and then when that happens midway through the year, everyone’s clamoring for him. And he stepped in and showed what he’s made of. So, I was very happy for him. He earned it and I think he’ll do great from here on."
Beyond the promising quarterback play in New Orleans, the Chicago Bears are also fielding discussions about potential breakout stars, particularly on the offensive side of the ball under the guidance of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. An NFC scout highlighted wide receiver Luther Burden III and tight end Colston Loveland as two players who could become "elite" this season. The scout believes Burden has the potential to surpass Rome Odunze as the Bears’ No. 1 receiver, citing his superior hands and reliability. "I actually think Burden is going to end up as their No. 1 receiver ahead of Rome Odunze," the scout said. "He’s got way better hands and is more reliable. Odunze is more explosive, probably, but at some point you lean on the guy who can make more plays. That’s Burden. He’s got great hands and strength."
Loveland is also expected to see increased opportunities, especially given Johnson’s propensity to utilize his tight ends effectively. The scout added, "And Loveland is right there with him. Johnson loves to rely on his tight ends too, so he’ll have plenty of opportunities. And you saw down the stretch last year what he can do with them."
Loveland’s late-season surge in 2025 was particularly impressive. After a slow start, where he recorded just 11 catches for 116 yards in the first six games, he exploded in the final four contests, including two playoff games, snagging 28 passes for 378 yards and two touchdowns. This late-season dominance has fueled expectations for his continued impact in 2026.
Burden, while not putting up gaudy numbers in his rookie year (47 receptions for 652 yards and two touchdowns), was only targeted on 10.6% of quarterback Caleb Williams’ passes. With a remarkable 78.3% catch rate, an increased target share is highly anticipated. The scout concluded, "I’m telling you, Johnson is going to lean on those two. Let the defenses target Rome. Those are the two guys that will kill you."
The collective buzz surrounding Tyler Shough, Luther Burden III, and Colston Loveland indicates a promising future for these young talents. With strong coaching, supportive teammates, and clear pathways for development, these players are well-positioned to make significant impacts in the 2026 NFL season, potentially transforming their respective teams and capturing the attention of the entire league. The NFL’s ability to consistently unearth and cultivate such emerging stars continues to be a driving force behind its enduring popularity.
