Who Should I Start? Tyler Shough or Cam Ward

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.

Tuesday, June 3, 12:15 PM

The Tennessee Titans have been pleased with rookie first-round quarterback Cam Ward's progress this offseason as he learns the offense. "Pleased with where he's at," head coach Brian Callahan said. The head coach also said that Ward is picking things up pretty quickly as far as the mental part of the transition to the NFL. Although the 23-year-old first overall pick has been splitting reps evenly with Will Levis during offseason workouts, Ward is fully expected to win the starting QB job going into the 2025 regular season this fall. The Miami product has high-end arm strength and set an NCAA record with 158 career touchdown passes. There's plenty to like about Ward long term, but he's not much of a scrambler, and the Titans don't have a ton of weapons for him to be much more than a low-end QB2 with upside in fantasy in his rookie season.