NOLA Legend Urges Saints to Build Around New QB After Upset of Buccaneers

Tyrann Mathieu, the Louisiana football legend and former New Orleans Saints safety, is making it clear who he believes should be the team’s quarterback of the future: Tyler Shough. After the Saints’ 24-20 upset win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Mathieu went on X to say the franchise should “build everything” around the 25-year-old passer.

Mathieu praised Shough’s poise and late-game playmaking, writing that the young quarterback “showed me something today” and that his numbers “won’t wow you,” but he is winning “critical situations” for New Orleans. The Super Bowl champion added that the city should “absolutely get behind him and embrace him as QB for the next decade.”

Saints Legend Calls for ‘QB for the Next Decade’ in Tyler Shough

The Saints drafted Shough with the No. 40 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, betting on his size and tools despite an injury history and the fact that he entered the league older than most rookies. At 6-foot-5, Shough was viewed as a high-upside project. Now, he is starting to look like much more than that.

Against the NFC South-leading Buccaneers, Shough didn’t light up the box score through the air, but he delivered in the moments that mattered most. He ripped off two gutsy rushing touchdowns — runs of 34 and 13 yards — to carry the Saints’ offense. The 13-yard score served as the game-clinching touchdown in the fourth quarter, sealing the 24-20 victory.

For Mathieu, those plays were proof that Shough can be the guy. In another X post, he doubled down on his stance, calling on the Saints to keep building around their young quarterback. “Get him some more weapons and a good defense!” Mathieu wrote, adding that the Saints “aren’t far off from bouncing back and competing in this division.”

Mathieu also noted that this is not a one-off reaction. He said he has been pushing the Shough agenda on his “In The Bayou With Tyrann Mathieu” podcast, arguing that the franchise needs stability and a long-term plan at quarterback, and that Shough fits that vision.

What Tyrann Mathieu’s Message Means for the Saints & Shough

Sunday’s win over Tampa Bay was Shough’s fifth career start and the seventh game he has played for New Orleans. He is now 2-3 as a starter after taking over for Spencer Rattler, who went 1-13 in his run as the Saints’ starting quarterback.

Even though the Saints were officially eliminated from playoff contention after their Week 13 loss to the Miami Dolphins, Shough’s progress and the public backing from a beloved former Saint change the tone around the franchise. Instead of another lost season, New Orleans can point to a potential long-term answer at the league’s most important position.

Mathieu’s endorsement matters in New Orleans. The former LSU star and “Honey Badger” is deeply tied to Louisiana football, and he understands the city’s expectations for toughness and resilience. His message that Shough wins in “critical situations” will resonate with fans who value clutch moments as much as raw stats.

For the front office, Mathieu’s comments add external pressure — and maybe cover — to commit to Shough heading into 2026. That could mean investing more resources at wide receiver and along the offensive line, while rebuilding a defense that can support a young quarterback still finding his way.

Stats, Context & What’s Next for New Orleans

The win over the Buccaneers not only gave Shough a signature moment, it also offered a glimpse of how the Saints’ offense could look if fully tailored to his skill set. His mobility, willingness to take off as a runner and ability to extend plays give New Orleans a different dimension than it had with Rattler.

The Saints still have roster questions and no immediate playoff path after being eliminated in Week 13, but the rest of the season now doubles as an extended audition for Shough as the unquestioned QB1. If he continues to stack performances like the one against Tampa Bay, Mathieu may not be the only one calling for New Orleans to build everything around him.

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