Saints Head Coach Kellen Moore Names QB Spencer Rattler Starter

The New Orleans Saints quarterback battle has quickly become a focal point of discussion surrounding the team, primarily because the quarterback room is notably devoid of any veteran presence or established starter. The unexpected retirement of Derek Carr early in the offseason due to injury forced the organization to pivot and rethink their quarterback strategy almost immediately. Many initially believed that rookie Tyler Shough, a promising second-round pick, might seize the opportunity and claim the starting role with relative ease. However, it has since become clear that this is not the direction the Saints have chosen to take.

Instead, New Orleans has decided to entrust the starting quarterback position to none other than Spencer Rattler, the former star of Netflix’s QB1: Beyond the Lights. After an intense and prolonged competition lasting over three months, Rattler secured the starting job over Shough. Selected in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of South Carolina, Rattler is now set to start his seventh career game when the Saints host the Arizona Cardinals to open the season. His previous experience includes starting six games and appearing in seven during the 2024 season when he stepped in for the injured Carr, though those starts resulted in an 0-6 record.

Addressing the quarterback situation, Head Coach Kellen Moore expressed confidence in the decision, emphasizing the importance of depth in such a demanding league. “Spencer’s our starting quarterback; Tyler is going to keep developing,” Moore stated. “You need a couple of quarterbacks. It’s a long NFL season. I think we do value that we have depth there, and we’ll have to navigate the rest as we go. He’s going to do an awesome job for us.” With this endorsement, the Saints seem poised to move forward with a young and dynamic quarterback duo, hoping to build around Rattler’s talent while nurturing Shough’s growth for the future.

While New Orleans does have Shough and Rattler currently on the roster, I wouldn’t eliminate the notion of them pursuing a QB this offseason. It still remains a question as to what Rattler could potentially become. He has largely been a mixed bag, showing more negatives than positives in his six starts; however, under a new coach, that could change. Ultimately, I do not see success in this team’s future for 2025 and beyond if the QB room fails either to bring someone in or to develop swiftly. It’s going to be an uphill battle for Rattler and company this year, and I wouldn’t be shocked if both QBs start multiple games if things hit rock bottom quickly.