Who Should I Start? Tyler Shough or Cam Ward

Saturday, July 19, 1:30 PM

The New Orleans Saints and quarterback Tyler Shough reached an agreement on Saturday on a four-year, fully-guaranteed rookie deal worth $10,795,000, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Shough, who was taken 40th overall in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft, is the last player that was taken this year to secure a fully-guaranteed deal. Although Shough will have competition from Spencer Rattler for the starting QB job in his rookie season, he figures to be the favorite to start under center in Week 1 this fall after Derek Carr's abrupt retirement this offseason. The 25-year-old spent seven years in college, so he has plenty of experience, and he threw for 3,195 yards and 23 yards in 2024 at Louisville. He has good size and arm strength, but his downfield accuracy is a concern. There won't be much fantasy upside here early on if he wins the starting gig. Think low-end QB2 as a game manager more than anything.

Wednesday, July 23, 5:31 PM

Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward, who was the first overall pick in this year's NFL draft, made his training camp debut on Wednesday and took all of the first-team reps, per ESPN's Turron Davenport. Now that Will Levis (shoulder) is out for the entire season while needing surgery on his right shoulder, Ward is firmly in line to start in his first year in the NFL. Back in OTAs and minicamp, the Titans used a rotation of Ward, Levis and Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle. The Titans haven't officially announced Ward as its starter, but it's pretty clear that will eventually come to pass. Davenport goes on to write that most of Ward's passes were towards the middle of the field on Wednesday after most of his success in college came there as well. His first season in the NFL will be more about development and will surely come with plenty of ups and downs. Ward is a low-end QB2 heading into his first year.