Count Tyrann Mathieu among those impressed by Saints QB Tyler Shough

TL;DR

Tyler Shough has impressed former Saints player Tyrann Mathieu with his performance as quarterback, helping elevate teammates like Chris Olave and Juwan Johnson. Mathieu praised Shough's ability to unlock their potential during his rookie season.

Key points

Tyler Shough impressed Tyrann Mathieu with his quarterback skills.
Shough helped elevate teammates Chris Olave and Juwan Johnson.
Olave's performance improved significantly after Shough became the starter.
The Saints' offense became competitive in 2026.
Mathieu highlighted Shough's ability to unlock player potential.

Kellen MooreNew Orleans SaintsTyler ShoughTyrann Mathieu

One of the biggest bright spots from the New Orleans Saints' 2026 season was the fact that they were able to find a quarterback and head coach combo that seemed to work exceptionally well together. Tyler Shough and Kellen Moore came in for year one, and both showed they weren't messing around, taking the offense from utterly unwatchable for the past few years to at least competitive. Shough's ability to elevate his teammates like Chris Olave and Juwan Johnson didn't escape notice.

This has drawn the attention of even former Saints players, with Tyrann Mathieu recently sharing his thoughts. Mathieu recapped Shough's rookie season on his In The Bayou with Tyrann Mathieu podcast, alongside NewOrleans.Football's Nick Underhill.

"I know what you're saying, man, because we was sort of waiting for Olave to just get it, right, and even Juwan Johnson, like he's a matchup nightmare," Mathieu said. "So I was really, really happy to see that he got those dudes to play to their potential. Yeah, not many people are able to do that, so I mean once I saw that, I was like 'yo, they might got somebody'."

This is high praise from a 12-year NFL veteran who has played against some of the best quarterbacks to ever put on a helmet. He certainly has a point, too, with both Olave and Johnson standing out significantly when Shough got on the field in 2025. Prior to Shough's first start in Week 8, Olave was averaging around 63 yards per game. From Week 8 on, he averaged 80.3, concluding the season with back-to-back 100-plus yard games (all three on the season came with Shough at the helm).

Johnson was a similar improver, averaging 45 yards per game prior to Shough, never breaking the 80 mark in that span. With Shough throwing, he averaged 57.4 a game, with three games breaking 80 yards a piece. It is clear that Shough made a huge impact on this offense and found his weapons in stride during the season. Now, all eyes turn to the 2026 season, and who the Saints bring in to supplement his success.

Q&A

What did Tyrann Mathieu say about Tyler Shough's performance?

Tyrann Mathieu praised Tyler Shough for elevating teammates like Chris Olave and Juwan Johnson, indicating that Shough has the potential to be a significant player for the Saints.

How did Tyler Shough impact Chris Olave's performance in 2025?

After Tyler Shough became the starting quarterback in Week 8, Chris Olave's average yardage increased from 63 to 80.3 yards per game, culminating in multiple 100-plus yard games.

What changes did the Saints experience with Tyler Shough and Kellen Moore in 2026?

The Saints' offense became competitive in 2026 under the leadership of Tyler Shough and head coach Kellen Moore, marking a significant improvement from previous seasons.