Did Tyler Shough Win Rookie of the Year? NFL Honors Award Confusion Explained

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

When the NFL announced its offseason awards at NFL Honors 2026, many fans were left questioning one headline: Did Tyler Shough of the Arizona Cardinals win NFL Rookie of the Year? The short answer is no, he did not win the award. But persistent confusion around ballot wording and replacement awards made it seem like he might have.

Tyler Shough’s 2025 Season: A Breakout, But Not the Top Rookie

Tyler Shough had one of the most talked-about rookie seasons in the NFL. Stepping in for the Arizona Cardinals following injuries, Shough:

• Started 11 games
• Threw for 2,493 passing yards
• Completed 63.4% of his passes
• Accounted for 14 total touchdowns (12 passing, 2 rushing)
• Posted a Passer Rating around league average

These were respectable numbers for a first-year starter, especially one who took over midseason.

Why the Rookie of the Year Confusion Happened

There are two main reasons the internet briefly misinterpreted the award results:

1. Replacement Player Voting Chain

In the voting process, several rookies originally selected as finalists were unavailable or withdrew due to injuries or Super Bowl participation. When alternates are moved up, it can create lists that include players fans might misread as winners.

Shough was included on the final roster list due to other players’ unavailability, but that does not mean he won the award.

2. Ballot Listing Without Clear Winner Formatting

The NFL Honors presentation and the posted ballot pages sometimes list nominees alphabetically or in order, without clearly indicating the winner, leading some viewers to mistakenly believe the first-listed name is the winner.

How Shough’s Season Stacks Up Statistically

While Shough didn’t win the official award, his rookie statistics illustrate why he remained in the conversation: