Saints WR Brandin Cooks makes his stance clear on QB1 battle ahead of 2025 NFL season

After nine seasons wearing other uniforms, Brandin Cooks has returned to the team that gave him his first shot as a professional in the NFL. The wide receiver is set to play the upcoming season with the New Orleans Saints, amid uncertainty over who will be the team’s starting quarterback following Derek Carr’s decision to retire from professional football.

Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough are the leading candidates to earn the starting role heading into Week 1 for Kellen Moore’s team. However, the head coach has yet to make a definitive statement regarding who will ultimately be named the starter.

In recent comments to the media, Cooks spoke about the healthy competition among the quarterbacks currently on the roster, noting that it will be a strong internal battle for the team this offseason.

“Yeah, absolutely it should bring the best out of you,” Cooks told reporters, via the team website. “It’s fun seeing those guys compete. All three of them are having a great spring. So, it’s going to be fun to watch that competition.”

Spencer Rattler #18 of the New Orleans Saints warms up before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 23, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Rattler or Shough? Cooks weighs in

Derek Carr’s sudden decision to step away from professional football sparked a debate within the franchise about who should be his natural successor. With the idea of bringing in a veteran no longer on the table, the HC will now have to choose from the quarterbacks currently on the roster.

While, as of now, the leading candidates to start in Week 1 are Spencer Rattler and rookie Tyler Shough, Kellen Moore could also ultimately opt for Jake Haener — although his chances appear to be slimmer.

Brandin Cooks returned to the team that saw him begin his NFL career after stints with the Patriots, Rams, Texans, and Cowboys, and he didn’t shy away from the conversation about who might be throwing him the ball this upcoming season.

“They’re playing with a lot of confidence, both of those guys,” Cooks said of Shough and Rattler. “And you can see the competition going on. They can definitely sling it. So, I look forward to continuing to see that grow.”