It’s been said the honey badger doesn’t give a you know what, but Tyrann Mathieu clearly cares about the New Orleans Saints‘ direction.
The New Orleans native, Super Bowl champion and star LSU defensive back feels the Saints are going the right way with quarterback Tyler Shough.
Mathieu finished his career by playing his final three seasons for the Saints — though he has reportedly flirted with making a comeback. The three-time All-Pro, who was a third-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals in the 2013 NFL Draft, won his lone Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019-20.
Tyrann Mathieu: The Saints Will Go Into 2026 With Tyler Shough As Their Quarterback
Shough was the third quarterback taken in this year’s draft then lost a quarterback battle to Spencer Rattler in training camp. He is 1-3 as a starter and ranks 34th in the NFL in passing yards (1,068).
Still, Mathieu thinks Shough is New Orleans’ guy.
“I think so,” Mathieu told RG.org when asked if Shough should start in 2026. “They need to hit on these draft picks because when I think about the great teams — and even when the Saints were really, really good a couple years ago — it’s because they drafted really well.”
Shough was a first-round talent who fell to the eighth pick of the second round. But like most rookie quarterbacks, Shough gained valuable experience by watching Rattler and learning the NFL speed before making his first NFL start in Week 8.
“He was watching Spencer play quarterback, so for him to be able to have those instincts and awareness and that juice, even though he probably sat the first eight, nine weeks of the season,” Mathieu said. “I thought that said a lot about his preparation and just how much it means to him to be out there.”
Mathieu feels the foundation is in place, offensively. They have the franchise QB, the No. 1 wide receiver in Chris Olave and a top-flight running back in Alvin Kamara.
But New Orleans needs to keep building and stockpiling assets to keep talent flowing onto its roster.
“They traded Shaheed, so now they have a few more picks,” Mathieu said, referencing wide receiver Rashid Shaheed, who was dealt to the Seattle Seahawks last month. “I still think they need a few more draft picks. … I think the more draft picks they get, the more they can continue to kind of rebuild that team around Tyler, Chris and guys like that.”
Tyrann Mathieu: Tyler Shough Gets The Saints’ Playmakers Involved
Shough has all the tangible skills of an NFL quarterback. He can make the throws and is 6-5 and 219 pounds, which is more than good enough for an NFL quarterback these days.
Yet, according to Mathieu, Shough’s super power is his ability to get the Saints’ pass catchers involved.
“That’s a big part of it,” Mathieu said. “Because you want your playmakers feeling like they’re involved in the football game, and that they’re making big plays in the game. So critical third downs, red zone situations. You want these guys to be able to come alive.”
Former Saints, LSU Legend Offers High Praise For Quarterback Tyler Shough