NFL rookie of the year: Saints QB Tyler Shough wins Pepsi award today

Tyler Shough won the Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Year today, becoming the fourth Saints player to claim the prestigious award. The second-round draft pick completed an outstanding debut season with 2,384 passing yards and remarkable precision.

Saints QB Shough Sets Multiple Rookie Records

Shough completed 11 games with nine starts, setting Saints rookie records in virtually every major passing category. His 91.3 passer rating and 103.3 third down rating (leading the entire NFL) demonstrated elite decision-making in critical moments.

The 6-foot-5, 219-pound quarterback from Louisville entered the league as the team’s 40th overall draft pick in 2025. His remarkable 67.6% completion percentage ranked third all-time among all qualifying rookie quarterbacks, a truly exceptional feat for a first-year player entering mid-season.

Midway through the season, the Saints benched Spencer Rattler and inserted Shough into the starting role. From that point forward, he led the team to numerous victories with poise and precision that defied his rookie status.

Pepsi Award Arrives Before Official AP Vote Tonight

The fan-voted Pepsi award came earlier in the day, but the official AP Offensive Rookie of the Year winner will be announced tonight at the NFL Honors ceremony at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. Shough is one of five finalists competing for that honor.

This recognition caps an incredible turnaround for the Saints franchise. Additionally, Shough earned selection to the PFWA All-Rookie Team and won the December/January NFL Rookie of the Month. His consistent excellence throughout the final months made him a standout candidate across multiple award programs.

Comparing Shough to Saints Rookie History

Player	Year Won	Position
Tyler Shough	2026	Quarterback
Alvin Kamara	2017	Running Back
Rueben Mayes	1986	Running Back
George Rogers	1981	Running Back

“I am truly humbled and honored to be chosen for this award. Coming in as a rookie, my goal was to do anything I could to contribute to our team’s success. This wouldn’t be possible without all of my teammates and coaches giving everything they had each and every week to help us win.”

Tyler Shough, NFL Rookie of the Year

Saints Organization Commits to Shough’s Future

Saints head coach Kellen Moore and general manager Mickey Loomis have already signaled their commitment to Shough as the franchise quarterback going forward. The organization is prepared to build the 2026 offense around the young signal-caller who exceeded all expectations.

Shough signed a fully guaranteed four-year deal worth over $10 million, a rarity for non-first-rounders. This contract reflects the Saints’ confidence in his abilities and long-term potential. New Orleans now transitions from searching for quarterback stability to developing one of the league’s most promising young arms.

What Comes Next for the Rookie of the Year?

As Shough awaits the official AP award announcement tonight, the larger question remains: can he sustain this rookie brilliance into year two? The 103.3 third down passer rating suggests he thrives in high-pressure situations, a quality that separates good quarterbacks from great ones.

The Saints franchise is banking on it. With Shough anchoring the offense, New Orleans has finally found the quarterback stability it has chased for years. These award recognitions represent only the beginning of what could be a remarkable career.

Sources

• New Orleans Saints – Official team announcements regarding Tyler Shough’s Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Year fan vote win
• ESPN – Comprehensive statistics and game-by-game performance data for the 2025 NFL season
• Sporting News – Coverage of Shough’s award recognition and Saints team response