Who Should I Start? Sam Darnold or Tyler Shough

Wednesday, June 4, 12:03 AM

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said on Tuesday that there's no question that Sam Darnold is "our starting quarterback" when asked if there was any scenario, outside of injury, in which Darnold isn't the starter. "This is a crazy question," Macdonald also said. Most of the speculation about Darnold comes after Seattle took Jalen Milroe in the third round of April's NFL draft. Milroe, a dual-threat QB, is expected to have a package of plays as another offensive weapon for Seattle, but Darnold will be the unquestioned starter under center after a career year in 2024 with the Minnesota Vikings in which he threw for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 17 regular-season games while leading the team to a 14-3 record. It was a great season, but the move to Seattle is a downgrade for Darnold's fantasy value behind a shaky offensive line and with a downgrade in aerial weapons.

Thursday, May 29, 2:57 PM

New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough, who is firmly in the battle for the QB1 job, had an "encouraging performance" during Thursday's OTA practice. "Shough showed it today," Saints reporter Nick Underhill wrote. "Hit two bombs for TDs, real nice layered throw going to the sideline and had an incomplete pass on the move that barely missed but athleticism flashed." The 25-year-old is likely the favorite to be the Week 1 starter in Kellen Moore's new offense after the sudden retirement of Derek Carr (shoulder), so the positive report is promising. Shough was a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft after tossing for 7,820 yards, 59 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions in 42 collegiate games with Oregon, Texas Tech, and Louisville. He also scored 11 career rushing touchdowns. Shough is no stranger to learning a new system on the fly, so he could exceed relatively low expectations in Year 1.