Who Should I Start? Tyler Shough or Cameron 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, August 6, 12:52 PM

Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan said that rookie first-round quarterback Cam Ward and the starters will play in every preseason game. In the team's preseason opener this Saturday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Ward and the starters will get a series or two. Even before it was announced that Will Levis (shoulder) would miss all of the 2025 season, Ward, the first overall pick in this year's NFL draft, was fully expected to be the starter entering Week 1. The 23-year-old has had his ups and downs at training camp this summer, but Callahan also said that Ward has shown growth heading into his first NFL season. Ward doesn't have many options to throw to outside of receiver Calvin Ridley, and he wasn't praised for his rushing ability in the pre-draft process, so this will most likely be a learning year for the youngster from Miami. Treat him as a low-end QB2 in fantasy.