The New Orleans Saints starting quarterback gig is up for grabs this offseason.
Even before Derek Carr’s retirement, the New Orleans Saints quarterback job was uncertain heading into 2025.
Carr’s decision to call it quits has left the spot wide open, and a clear guarantee did not come from the NFL Draft.
The Saints took quarterback Tyler Shough in the second round, the 40th overall pick. This is not a selection that screams ‘starter’, at least before training camp.
Spencer Rattler on the quarterback battle
Another quarterback on the roster is sophomore player Spencer Rattler, a fifth-round pick in 2024, number 150.
Speaking to The Rich Eisen Show, Rattler believes he has a shot of landing the starter job for week one, with no guarantees given either way.
Rattler said: “‘Yeah. It’s open competition. We’ve been competing every day. Both of us. Not just me and Tyler, Jake Hainer, Hunter Dekkers is in there too.
“We’ve got four good quarterbacks in that room, got a lot of respect for those guys, it’s what I like, it’s a tight-knit room. We all respect each other’s games and we all push each other every day.”
Rattler was thrust into the spotlight last season with the team already on the slide and went 0-6 as a starter, throwing four touchdowns and five interceptions.
Rattler excited to learn from Kellen Moore
There have been changes at the Saints this offseason, with Kellen Moore brought in as head coach, bringing in his highly regarded offense.
Rattler is looking forward to learning from Moore, and has already got a firm idea of what he wants, and believes he is suited to it.
He said: “I think he wants us to play like point guards, distribute the ball, get the ball in your playmaker’s hands. You see all the success he’s had with Dak Prescott, Jalen Hurts, Justin Herbert, just a few of the guys to name, all those guys can move with their legs a little bit, they can throw the ball.
“I think that suits my game really well, I can move around make plays with my feet, but definitely my strength is throwing the ball. I feel good with what he’s calling, I feel good about the playbook.”
Rattler will get his opportunity in preseason, but with a higher draft stock and without the stain of last season, Tyler Shough could be the favorite to land the job.
