An NFL rookie quarterback has the NFC South right in his shoulders. After the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Carolina Panthers in Week 18, the division is now in the hands of two teams eliminated from playoff contention.
If Tyler Shough and the New Orleans Saints knock off the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, the division goes to the Buccaneers, if the Falcons won, the Panthers take home the division crown. Ultimately, it comes down to how the rookie QB performs on the road against a talented Falcons team.
Selected with the No. 40 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Shough took over as a starter with the Saints mid-season and has been arguably the best rookie quarterback in the second half of the season. In throwing for 2,125 yards with 9 touchdowns and 5 interceptions, Shough has led the Saints to four consecutive victories. If he makes if five against the Falcons, a Buccaneers team will be very grateful.
The New Orleans Saints got themselves a QB
However, in the bigger picture for both the Saints and the NFC South, Shough appears to be proving himself as a significant asset in New Orleans. His play late in the season has not only put him in the conversation for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, but it also puts the Saints in a good position come the 2026 NFL Draft. Now they can use a top 10 pick on other areas of need, like potentially adding another top-level receiver for Shough to throw the ball to.
In ending the season on a high note and playing in a game that does have playoff implications, the rookie quarterback is also getting big game experience which will help him in beginning the 2026 NFL season as the starter. In coming out of Louisville with first round talent, the one obstacle for Shough has been his durability. When healthy he is very good and its almost poetic that the NFC South rests on his shoulders.
Tetairoa McMillan has a bright future
Speaking of NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year candidates, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan did his best to decide the NFC South. In the loss to the Buccaneers, McMillan stepped up on the big stage with 4 receptions for 85 yards. He did have a key fumble in the game and was involved in a controversial play as an OPI call took away another big play.
In hauling in a 32-yard pass from Bryce Young that put the Panthers in position to go ahead in the game, the play was nullified due to McMillan creating contact in separating from the defender. The controversy surrounding the call is that the contact seemed minimal. It was a call that had former defensive backs like Devin McCourty shaking his head:
Did OPI change? When DBs Jam at the line are WRs not allowed to be physical too? B Marshall used to throw me 3yds the other way LOL
— Devin McCourty (@devinmccourty) January 3, 2026
Despite the call and the results of the game, McMillan has proved all season long that he is the best receiver taken in the 2025 NFL Draft. With the repertoire he has built with Young, the Panthers have their WR1. Was his performance enough to secure the rookie of the year? Coincidentally, that could depend on Shough’s performance. He balls out, he could seal the fate of the Panthers’ season and steal the award away from McMillan.
Patriots’ undrafted rookie stepping up
While the Patriots Way may have shifted from how things were run under Bill Belichick and how they are currently run by Mike Vrabel, the one aspect that remains is the next player up mentality.
With veteran wide receiver Mack Hollins going on IR and the team without Kayshon Boutte due to a concussion, Drake Maye and the Patriots leaned on undrafted rookie receiver Efton Chism II to step up which he did in the team’s win against the New York Jets by hauling in his first career touchdown. In all he finished the game with 2 receptions for 40 yards and a TD but contributed as a run blocker.
Everyone was loving @EftonChism's first @NFL TD! pic.twitter.com/1mnow79Kvm
— z - New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 30, 2025
At 5-foot-10, 198 pounds, Chism doesn’t have the frame of Hollins, but getting in there and mixing it up is why Chism made the team and why he will get more opportunities going forward. Opportunities that he has embraced, especially with Hollins taking him under his wing.
"I'm a big routine guy. That is something I wanted to figure out early on -- Mack helped me out with that during OTAs -- in terms of what time to come in, when to leave, so you're not here just to be here," Chism said, via ESPN’s Mike Reiss. "Making sure when I'm here, I'm getting stuff done, whether I'm meeting with Coach TD, getting in the tubs, lifting. Sticking to that routine -- it's gotten me this far."