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After Learning He's No Longer in the Team's Long-Term Plans, Quarterback Tyler Shough Is Willing to Take a Pay Cut – Just for One More Chance to Fight for New Orleans

New Orleans, Louisiana – 11/28/2025

The New Orleans Saints are navigating one of the most turbulent stretches of their season, as strategic changes, injuries, and instability at quarterback have forced the team to reevaluate nearly every option. And in the middle of all that uncertainty, the story of Tyler Shough — once viewed as a long-term developmental piece — has become the most emotional one inside the building.

Shough entered the season hoping to carve out a clearer role, but a midseason injury and the rise of younger teammates pushed him down the depth chart. When the front office informed him he was no longer part of the team’s long-term plans, his future in New Orleans suddenly became fragile.

Saints OTA observations: Tyler Shough delivers wow moments | Saints |  nola.com

Yet instead of responding with frustration, disappointment, or a desire to move on — the reaction many young quarterbacks would have — Shough chose loyalty and humility.

“If the team doesn’t see me as the top option anymore, I won’t turn my back on them. I can step back, I can sit on the bench, I can take whatever role they need… as long as I’m still here and ready when the Saints call my name. New Orleans isn’t just where I play — it’s where my heart truly belongs.”

His words spread quickly through Saints Nation, earning deep respect from teammates and fans. A young quarterback willingly accepting a reduced role — not out of resignation, but out of a genuine desire to stay — is something rarely seen in today’s NFL, where players often chase opportunities elsewhere.

Head coach Dennis Allen praised Shough’s professionalism, noting that his mindset “still carries value in the quarterback room,” even if his on-field role has diminished. With injuries shaking the roster and the offense still searching for consistency, having someone who remains prepared and selfless could matter greatly in the final stretch of the season.

The long-term future of Tyler Shough in New Orleans remains uncertain.
But one thing has become undeniable:

He is willing to do anything — even step aside — to keep fighting for the Saints.

In a league defined by competition and constant turnover, that kind of loyalty truly stands out.

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