Spencer Rattler Named Saints’ Starting QB as Moore Bets on Development and Upside
Spencer Rattler will open the season as the New Orleans Saints’ starting quarterback, a move announced by first-year head coach Kellen Moore after Derek Carr’s retirement left a significant vacancy. With Carr out, Moore faced a trio of unproven options—rookie Tyler Shough, second-year quarterback Rattler, and veteran Jake Haener—and ultimately chose the former Oklahoma standout.
“Spencer Rattler’s our starting quarterback,” Moore said in a Tuesday press conference. “Really, really excited for him. He’s done an awesome job this offseason. He’s been consistent. He’s made some really good decisions throughout this process. And his ability to make plays with his arm and his feet has certainly shown up. He’s earned this opportunity. He’s going to do a tremendous job for us.”
Moore also lauded Shough, noting the development he’s shown this offseason and his ability to navigate the process as a younger quarterback. He praised Shough’s performance in the last preseason game against Denver and emphasized the value of giving both quarterbacks room to grow. “There’s a process for both of these guys that’ll give them the space to develop, and I think we’ve got two guys that are going to have great careers for us,” Moore said.
Shough, selected No. 40 overall in the second round of this year’s draft, arrived in New Orleans with a lengthy, injury-plagued seven-year college journey that spanned three schools. He turns 26 in September. In his lone season at Louisville, he flashed potential, delivering a complete 12-game regular season with a 23:6 TD-to-INT ratio, about 266.3 passing yards per game, and a 62.7% completion rate. A top-10 high school prospect in the same cycle as Trevor Lawrence, Shough carried strong pre-draft momentum into his pro days before being drafted by the Saints.
Rattler, the Saints’ 2024 fifth-round pick, entered the league with a well-documented college path. He began at Oklahoma, where he helped push the program to the national spotlight in 2020 before transferring to South Carolina, where he guided Shane Beamer’s team to notable wins in 2023 against Kentucky, Tennessee and Clemson. In his Saints rookie season, Rattler stepped in for an injured Carr by Week 6, delivering a high-profile 27-point burst in the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He showed flashes of playmaking both through the air and on the ground, but his rookie stat line finished at four touchdown passes, five interceptions, 1,317 passing yards and a 57% completion rate over six starts.
Haener, New Orleans’ fourth-round pick a year earlier, entered the quarterback competition with his own history. He served a six-game suspension in 2023 for violating the league’s PED policy and finally saw action when Carr suffered an oblique injury later that season. Haener started Week 15 vs. the Washington Commanders but endured a difficult first-half performance, completing just a portion of his attempts and absorbing several sacks, which led to his benching in favor of Rattler.
This offseason has marked a succession of young quarterback bets for the Saints, and Moore is betting that Rattler’s NFL experience to date gives him a leg up in the long run. The move signals a forward-looking approach from New Orleans, prioritizing development and upside at the position while maintaining competition among a trio of promising, if still untested, quarterbacks.
Takeaways and outlook:
– Rattler’s promotion compounds expectations for a more dynamic Saints offense that can leverage his arm talent and mobility.
– Shough remains in the mix as a high-upside developmental project with a long college track record, which could pay dividends as he matures.
– Haener provides additional depth and a proven ability to play at the NFL level when needed, despite past setbacks.
– Moore’s plan appears to center on a measured development path for both QBs, with room for progress and improvement throughout the season.
Context and significance:
– The Saints have now drafted quarterbacks in three consecutive classes, underscoring an organizational shift toward cultivating a long-term solution at the position.
– Rattler’s early NFL action and week-to-week progression will shape how New Orleans builds around a young starter as they pursue a competitive run in a stacked division.
Summary:
Spencer Rattler has been named the Saints’ starting quarterback, with coach Kellen Moore emphasizing development and the readiness to seize opportunities. While Shough and Haener remain in the quarterback room as capable alternatives, Moore’s decision centers on Rattler’s demonstrated consistency and potential to lead an offense that can grow with him this season. A hopeful path forward for New Orleans is clear: cultivate a young quarterback who can elevate the unit while continuing to build a talented, evolving supporting cast.