Canal Street Chronicles
A possible rookie QB showdown looms in a late season duel.
The New Orleans Saints are set to take on the Tennessee Titans during a Week 17 matchup of the 2025-26 NFL season.
The Titans drafted Miami’s Cam Ward with the first overall pick. Ward was elite in his final year in college, making him the obvious QB1 of the draft. The Saints would follow a day later, taking Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough with the No. 40 overall pick, making him the third signal-caller off the board.
Shough and Ward are the favorites to win their team’s starting quarterback job, making this on-the-surface regular week 17 matchup one to tune in to.
Tennessee has made exciting moves to accommodate their new rookie quarterback, notably signing former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett. The veteran wideout joins Calvin Ridley, Treylon Burks, and rookie Elic Ayomanor in the talented Titans wide receiver room.
The Titans also bolstered their offensive line with the signings of Dan Moore Jr. and Kevin Zeitler. Tennessee has had a struggling offensive line for several seasons and aimed to strengthen up the trenches before adding their rookie quarterback to the mix.
Despite the lack of performance, the Saints have emphasized strengthening their offensive line over the years and have finally fleshed out their starting five. With the selection of Kelvin Banks Jr. with the ninth overall pick, New Orleans will have 4 first-round picks and a second-round pick starting on their offensive line. The Saints also signed former second-round pick Dillon Radunz as depth over the offseason.
Both teams approached the offseason similarly while rebuilding for the future. From singing veteran wideouts to strengthening the trenches, the New Orleans and Tennessee have aimed to make life easier on their rookie quarterbacks.
The Saints and Titans have met 17 times dating back to 1971. Tennessee leads the all-time matchup with 9 wins to 7 losses and a tie. Over their last six matchups, the two teams have alternated winners with New Orleans having the most recent win during a 16-15 Week 1 victory to open the 2023 season.
While both teams are in the middle of a rebuilding era, the excitement of a potential rookie quarterback showdown makes this matchup one to watch. The Saints and Titans have made various moves to help their rookie quarterbacks, and their Week 17 matchup could be a peak into the future of these organizations.
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