New Orleans Saints receive an exciting reminder of how much potential their offense has to break out this season
New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough and rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson landed on the NFLPA’s Rising Stars list. The Saints are just one of a few teams to have multiple players make the list.
The New Orleans Saints landed a player on both the rookies and veterans sections of the NFLPA’s Rising Stars list, joining a small group of NFL teams with representation in each category.
First-round pick Jordyn Tyson and quarterback Tyler Shough earned the honors, placing New Orleans alongside NFC South rival Tampa Bay and the Arizona Cardinals as the only clubs to have two players represented.
The annual list highlights rookies and young players expected to deliver a major impact in retail sales, but the Saints are entering 2026 with high hopes for both players beyond just their notoriety.
Jordyn Tyson arrives as Day 1 starter
Tyson joining the group of rookies comes as no surprise. A top-10 selection and one of the first pass catchers drafted in this year’s NFL Draft, the rookie wideout comes into New Orleans ready to contribute when he makes his debut. He’s set to start alongside Chris Olave in an offense many expect to take a leap in the right direction.
The Saints invested a premium draft pick in Tyson to create a dangerous receiver combo out wide for their offense. Joining forces with Olave will be beneficial for both of them, and New Orleans now has one of the more promising young receiving duos in the NFC. The expected popularity of Tyson’s jersey sales reflects the national attention the new tandem is generating.
Tyler Shough will build on strong rookie season
Shough landed on the “vets” portion of the list as one of the rising young quarterbacks in the league. Last year’s second-round pick led the Saints to a 5-4 record as a starter while throwing for 2,384 yards and 10 touchdowns, completing 67.6% of his passes along the way. He finished as the runner-up for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
The 26-year-old proved plenty of doubters wrong during a rookie season that carried significant pressure. New Orleans handed him the keys with a lot on his plate midway into the season, and he responded with efficient, steady play that gave the franchise real confidence in its quarterback situation for the first time in years.
Expectations only grow from here
Tyson and Shough are the exact players fans beyond just NOLA gravitate toward. That they’ll now share a field together only amplifies the attention on each of them.
Tyson was one of the most coveted prospects in the draft class. Shough showed he belongs as a starter in this league. They are both vital for what New Orleans hopes will be a breakout season for Kellen Moore’s offense.
The Saints will need both of them to deliver. Shough enters a critical second year where continued progression is the expectation, not the hope. Tyson has to provide immediate help by becoming a reliable pass catcher for him.
The NFLPA’s list measures commercial appeal, but in New Orleans, it doubles as a reminder of how much star potential they have on offense.