Here's a cool moment from Sunday's game between the New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns. All looked lost when rookie wide receiver Barion Brown fumbled on a punt return with four minutes left in the first half, having cut one way across the field before reversing course and trying to go the other direction. He just tried to do too much with the ball in his hands, and the play ended with Cleveland regaining possession at the New Orleans 19-yard line.
It would be easy for a young player to feel discouraged in that moment, or for a veteran to lay into him on the sideline. Instead, second-year quarterback Tyler Shough had words of reassurance.
"Hey, best part is you get to do it again. We get to go out there and play again. It's all good. They
say, shoot your shot, get your yards, get down," Shough told Brown, in a video shared by the NFL. "We've all fumbled before, you know what I'm saying? You learn from it brother, it ain't going to happen again. Keep your energy, keep your juice, because we're gonna need you on another play. You know what I'm saying?"
Shough pointed to the scoreboard; the score was still tied, the two-minute warning was coming up, and the New Orleans defense got a stop, forcing the Browns into a turnover on downs at the goal line. It was time to go back to work.
Tyler Shough showed what kind of leader he is after Barion Brown's fumble. 💛@insidetheNFL Week 9 Mic'd Up on X pic.twitter.com/SsyJfWmHUd
— NFL (@NFL) November 11, 2026
"I mean, you can be mad about it later, but right now, how you talk to yourself matters. So, after the game, be (expletive) pissed. But right now, who cares? You know what I'm saying?" Shough added.
Shough had looked Brown's way just minutes earlier on a 52-yard reception, and the rookie finished with 198 all-purpose yards for his work on offense and special teams. He's in a position to make an impact each week. He just needs to make the most of those opportunities and, as Shough reminded him, stay present and focused. Let's see how he bounces back in Week 10 against the Carolina Panthers.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: What Tyler Shough told rookie WR after critical fumble vs. Browns
