Leading the NFL in passing yards after Week 1 wasn't enough for Tyler Shough to keep the New Orleans Saints out of the quarterback market in the 2027 NFL Draft, at least not according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. Thamel listed the Saints among ten teams with "an immediate need at quarterback" due to "for performance and need," having apparently not been impressed by Shough's work thus far.
Other teams Thamel highlighted for their perilous quarterback situations: the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, and Arizona Cardinals, as well as the Seattle Seahawks "because of Sam Darnold's age/contract." The 29-year old will be a free agent after the 2027 season.
It isn't
the strongest reasoning to back up his argument. But we should note this wasn't Thamel doing a deep dive on various QB situations around the league. His premise was focused on the quarterback prospects coming up in next year's draft, and there does appear to be a lot of them. Dante Moore (Oregon), Arch Manning (Texas), LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina), Sam Leavitt (LSU) and CJ Carr (Notre Dame) are just some of the names getting scouts excited.
Could the Saints be in on a quarterback next year? Maybe, but with the way Shough is playing to start his first full season as their starter, don't bet on it. His work in the second half and overtime against the Detroit Lions proved why the Saints are so confident in him. His mistake-filled first half gave his doubters more ammunition. Shough has shown us much more good than bad since taking over at midseason a year ago. He just needs to keep it up to keep the Saints' eyes from wandering in the spring.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: ESPN says Saints could be in the QB market in 2027 draft
