Who Should I Start? Tyler Shough or C.J. Stroud

Monday, August 11, 6:43 AM

New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough completed 15 of his 22 passes for 165 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in a 27-13 preseason loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Shough took over for Spencer Rattler in the second quarter and played into the fourth in his pro debut. He mostly played well, finding Mason Tipton for a 54-yard touchdown in the third quarter on a deep pass down the left sideline. That long TD helped ease the sting of a 43-yard pick-six that Shough threw to end his team's previous drive. Shough is locked in a battle with Rattler for the starting QB role in New Orleans and made a solid first impression on Sunday. He will look to keep the momentum going in his next preseason game, which will be Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Wednesday, July 16, 2:47 PM

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud had a sophomore slump following his fantastic rookie season in 2023 out of Ohio State. After throwing for more than 4,100 yards, 23 touchdowns, and five interceptions in 15 games in Year 1, he regressed to just over 3,700 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 picks in Year 2. Entering 2025 in what could set him up for a lucrative contract extension, Stroud has trained hard to improve his physical fitness. "I've been working really hard on getting my body right -- losing body fat, trying to be faster, stronger," Stroud said. "And it went really well. ... [Working] pocket mobility, running out the pocket, throwing the rock. Everything kind of works hand in hand." Last season, Houston's offensive line struggled mightily, and Stroud was sacked 63 times, good for the second-most in the NFL behind only Caleb Williams (68). The offensive line could remain an issue after the team traded away franchise left tackle Laremy Tunsil, but sacks are often largely a quarterback stat, too. If Stroud can become more dynamic operating inside and outside of the pocket, it could create more downfield opportunities for pass-catchers Nico Collins, Christian Kirk, and Jayden Higgins, among others.