Before the start of the season, Spencer Rattler won the New Orleans Saints‘ quarterback battle. However, after a 1-7 start, the team has now decided to put rookie Tyler Shough under center. However, after being named the starter, he gave a weird, somewhat concerning admission about his play.

Speaking to Brett Martel of the Associated Press, Shough said, “I’m going to make mistakes.” He then added, “So, I’m going to do everything I can to learn from those mistakes, and then just have fun doing it.” Shough also said, “What a great opportunity to go out there and just let it rip.”

While no one expects Shough to be perfect, openly admitting he will make mistakes is not what Saints‘ fans want to hear. Not only that, but he will have fun doing it? Saints’ fans were used to Drew Brees, after that, it’s been disaster after disaster in the QB position. Hence, they want solid play, not being concerned about mistakes on their passer.

Rattler’s numbers were not enough to avoid benching

Rattler is 1-7 this season but 1-13 overall in his career. In 2025, he completed 68% of his passes for 1586, eight touchdowns and five interceptions. His passer rating is 86.8 which is slightly below average. He also had four fumbles.

Rattler’s numbers from year one to year two have improved, but they weren’t good enough to make this team win games. Now, it’s time for a change. Rattler will be QB2 from now on.

Does Shough provide an upgrade?

Shough and Rattler both played against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They had basically the same statline, though Rattler was a bit more efficient. Rattler ended 15/21 for 136 yards and one interception with a 68.7 passer rating.

As for Shough, he ended 17/30 for 128 yards, one interception and a 53.2 passer rarting. Hence, looking at the raw numbers, Shough is actually a bit of a downgrade compared to Rattler. However, now Shough has the chance to prove doubters wrong.

Following a terrible 1-7 start, the Saints have had enough of Spencer Rattler. While the QB is not solely responsible for this record, the club thinks a change at the position is necessary to improve.

Now, HC Kellen Moore is set to start Tyler Shough in Week 9 against the Los Angeles Rams. While the Saints are still not regarded as favorites for this game, it is a change that the staff believes could help the offense improve for the rest of the season.

Who is Tyler Shough?

Tyler Shough will have his first start for the Saints in Week 9. The rookie quarterback appeared during Sunday’s loss against the Buccaneers, entering the field to replace Rattler.

Shough joined the Saints during the 2025 NFL Draft as the 40th overall pick. He was regarded as a solid prospect, yet his instability in college raised concerns among scouts and caused him to drop to the second round.

The quarterback played for Oregon, Texas Tech, and Louisville during his college career. He spent three years at each of the first two programs and finished his tenure in the NCAA with the Cardinals.

Shough, 26, is one year older than Rattler although he entered the league one year after him. He spent seven years in college but was finally able to become the undisputed starter in his last season with Louisville.

What’s the Saints’ updated quarterback depth chart?

With Tyler Shough named the QB1 for Week 9, Spencer Rattler has been relegated to the backup role. He still has a chance to recover his job, but it seems like the Saints will stick with the rookie until the end of the season.

As QB3 appears Taysom Hill, also known as “the Saints’ Swiss Army knife.” He is a versatile player who can line up at quarterback, tight end, and even running back, but has not been able to become a top contender for the QB1 job.

One of the players making the biggest waves in trade rumors is talented wide receiver Chris Olave. Despite his team’s struggles, many rivals are eager to acquire his services through a potential trade.

Despite this situation, the Saints reportedly have no intention of parting ways with one of their top stars. In fact, they are seriously considering offering a lucrative contract extension to one of the best players at his position in the league.

“The Saints have been trying to work out a long-term contract for receiver Chris Olave despite his name being attached to teams looking for pass catchers,” the reporter Diana Russini said.

Alongside Olave, there’s been a lot of talk about Alvin Kamara’s future. However, it seems the Saints have no plans to part ways with either player—at least in the short term.

Olave’s numbers in New Orleans

Since joining the New Orleans Saints as the 11th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, wide receiver Chris Olave has consistently proven to be the focal point of the team’s passing attack, already racking up impressive career totals.

Through the 2024 season, Olave had surpassed the 1,000-yard receiving mark in both his 2022 rookie year (1,042 yards on 72 receptions with four TDs) and his sophomore campaign in 2023 (1,123 yards on 87 receptions with five TDs).

Despite an injury-shortened 2024, the former Ohio State standout has compiled a career total of 2,907 receiving yards on 230 receptions with 11 touchdowns across 45 games, firmly establishing himself as one of the league’s top young wideouts.

Turning the season around with Rattler at the helm

The New Orleans Saints’ 2025 season has quickly devolved into a must-win scenario, with the team limping into Week 7 at a dismal 1-5 record, placing them last in the NFC South.

With a challenging slate of games looming, including a pivotal divisional matchup against the first-place Buccaneers in Week 8, the pressure is mounting on Head Coach Kellen Moore‘s squad to secure wins immediately.

The Saints need to address their systemic issues—which have included a struggle for offensive consistency, untimely penalties, and a suspect run defense—if they hope to avoid a disastrous season and climb out of the NFC South basement. Their upcoming schedule, which also features matchups against the Rams and a road game against the Dolphins, offers no easy outs, making this next stretch absolutely crucial for the franchise’s trajectory.

In 2021, Rattler was in his third season as the Sooners’ starting quarterback. However, a freshman named Caleb Williams unexpectedly took over the starting role in the middle of the campaign, a move Rattler did not see coming.

This led to Rattler transferring to South Carolina. Now, both quarterbacks are in the NFL, and their Week 7 matchup carries extra intrigue due to their shared history.

Spencer Rattler denies seeking “revenge” in Week 7 showdown with Caleb Williams

Fate works in mysterious ways. Being benched in favor of Williams left Rattler’s future uncertain, but he ultimately thrived at South Carolina and became an appealing prospect when he declared for the 2024 NFL Draft.

That same year, Caleb Williams entered the NFL as the No. 1 overall pick, while Rattler went 150th overall. Both with a completely different scenario for their careers.

Now, their paths cross again as the Saints visit Soldier Field to face the Bears. While many assume Rattler may be seeking revenge, he sees being benched in college as a crucial step that ultimately helped him reach the NFL.

“We all have our own paths and we’ve got to do our best with our own paths,” Rattler said. “It is what it is. The past is the past. We’re focused on the present and the future, but I would say, yeah, that definitely led me to South Carolina. It was a blessing in disguise that I got to play with the Gamecocks and develop there, get ready to the league after that. I’ll say what’s up to him at the game. I’ve got respect for him. Good player.”

The past is a reflection of the present

When Rattler lost his starting role to Williams, few were surprised. Williams was a generational talent who later became the No. 1 overall pick, while Rattler fell to the fifth round.

Today, the situation mirrors their college experience. Rattler’s position with the Saints is not fully secure, and some expect him to be replaced in the near future, whereas Williams continues his rise in the NFL, just as he did during their college years.

Rattler beat rookie Tyler Shough to start for the Saints after Derek Carr retired from the game. The former South Carolina quarterback is off to a rough start with the NFC South franchise, but the Giants present him a good opportunity to enter the win column.

In four games, Rattler has thrown for 756 yards and five touchdowns against one interception. While solid, those numbers haven’t translated into wins and fans have grown frustrated with the team’s current situation.

Spencer Rattler could join unflattering club with loss to Giants

Rattler will play his 11th professional game on Sunday, on the verge of joining a club that not so many would like to be a part of. Analyst Mike Florio noted that since 1950, only four quarterbacks have gone 0-11 to start their careers. Only two have lost their first 12 career games, and one went 0-13 or worse.

“Stan Gelbaugh and Hall of Famer Troy Aikman each started their careers at 0-11,” Florio wrote. “Jack Trudeau started 0-12. The leader is DeShone Kizer, who went 0-15 for the 2017 Browns.”

The Saints are one of the worst teams in the NFL, alongside the Tennessee Titans, but they could still send a message with a win against the Giants, who beat the Los Angeles Chargers last week. There might be hope for him even after a loss, as Troy Aikman went on to win three Super Bowls after a tough career start.

The New Orleans Saints are one of the few winless teams in the NFL. However, quarterback Spencer Rattler isn’t phased at all as the team prepares to go against New York Giants and rookie sensation Jaxson Dart.

When asked about being 0-4 right now, Rattler said, “You wish you already had one, but it’s a team thing. It’s in the past and we’re focused on the future. So, it’ll come. We’re working hard this week to get it.“

For Rattler, the streak is even worse. As a starter, Rattler is actually 0-10. He has never won a game in the NFL. Rattler hasn’t been bad per se this season, as he has a passer rating of 88.4 which is a bit average, but the Saints need way more to win games.

Will Tyler Shough get his chance?

Other teams like the Cleveland Browns and the New York Giants are already implementing QB changes, hence they are facing Jaxson Dart and not Russell Wilson. However, the Saints haven’t. Looking at the roster, rookie Tyler Shough is waiting for his opportunity. Having said that, Shough didn’t precisely impress in preseason.

Shough preseason’s numbers were 24 completions on 34 pass attempts for 231 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. With that in mind, there is no guarantee that Shough would be an upgrade on Rattler.

The Saints are not a good team regardless of the quarterback

The fact of the matter is that the Saints are not a good team. They have many limitations. Yes, the quarterback is indeed a big problem but the rest of the roster is also very shaky.

They also have a first-time head coach in Kellen Moore. The reality is that the Saints are years away from being competitive again as they are in the middle of a rebuild.

The New Orleans Saints were one of the teams with lowest expectations prior to the start of the NFL 2025 season. With an 0-4 start, it’s safe to say those expectations were correct. Now, as Spencer Rattler and company prepare to face the New York Giants, they could have one key name back to help them get that first win.

Head coach Kellen Moore said unicorn Taysom Hill is questionable to play. Hill, who can play as quarterback, running back, full back, tight end and wide receiver is clearly one of those impactful players that could help the Saints turn the tide.

If the team wants to activate him for the game vs. Giants, it will have to make a roster change. Hill started the season on the PUP list due to a knee injury that ended his 2024 season prematurely.

Hill could become the QB of the team if needed

Much has been said about how the Saints have the worst QB room in the NFL. Spencer Rattler is the starter, and he has an 0-10 record in the league. Tyler Shough is a rookie that wasn’t even able to beat Rattler to become the QB1. Hill could arguably be the best quarterback on the team.

However, he could also be one of the best weapons for Rattler, meaning he is just a very resourceful player. Whether he is put under center or lining up as a skill player it’s up to head coach Kellen Moore, but having him back is great news for a team that lacks offensive dinamite.

The Saints could be on the verge of a rebuild

If it all continues to go south for the Saints, it’s entirely possible that they could hit the reset button. Their salary cap issue for the Saints is absolutely awful. They are projected to lead the NFL in dead cap next year with $87 million. Hence, given the fact that you have no cap and no franchise-changing quarterback, why not pull the trigger?

The Saints have valuable trade assets like running back Alvin Kamara and wide receiver Chris Olave. This would help them to start rebuilding with more draft picks instead of being in NFL limbo for years to come.

Things haven’t gone well for New Orleans since Drew Brees’ retirement. The NFC South club has struggled to find stability under center despite several attempts in recent years.

After a disappointing stint with Derek Carr, the Saints are once again turning the page, this time putting their faith in second-year Spencer Rattler to break the cycle and bring consistency to the offense.

Saints QB depth chart after naming Spencer Rattler the starter

Following an intense offseason battle, the Saints’ coaching staff officially handed the reins of the offense to Rattler. The move signals a fresh start, but also highlights the team’s limited depth at quarterback.

Behind Rattler sits Tyler Shough, while Jake Haener was waived on Tuesday, leaving the roster thinner than expected at the position.

As it stands, the Saints have only two healthy quarterbacks on the roster: Rattler and Shough. Versatile weapon Taysom Hill, who has occasionally lined up at quarterback, suffered a torn ACL last December and is expected to miss several months.

Will the Saints sign another quarterback?

It’s highly likely that the Saints will look to add another quarterback in the coming days. Entering the season with just two signal-callers is a risky move, especially considering the ever-present injury concerns at the position.

As of now, there have been no credible reports linking New Orleans to any specific quarterback. However, head coach Kellen Moore is expected to explore additional options to provide depth and support behind Spencer Rattler as the 2025 campaign approaches.

Shortly after the announcement, Shough‘s agent went viral with a four-word message on social media. “I like the plan,” Erik Burkhardt wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

With only four words, Burkhardt showed optimism in his client’s future with the team. His comments suggest that, even though Rattler is getting the upper hand for now, he believes the Saints are just waiting for the right moment to promote Shough.

Moore explains why he chose Rattler over Shough

However, Moore appears to have no intention of changing his mind later in the year. Speaking to the press, the Saints head coach explained the reasons behind his decision to start Rattler over Shough.

“We’re not getting into this QB debate throughout the season. Spencer’s our starting quarterback. Tyler’s gonna continue to develop,” Moore said, explaining how much the coaching staff believes in Rattler. “We’re really excited about Spencer. We think he’s gonna do an awesome job for us.

“He’s just been consistent. He’s made some really good decisions throughout this whole entire process and his ability to make plays with his arm and his feet have certainly showed up.”

What’s the age difference between Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough?

Though Shough’s agent reacted with an optimistic tone, fans believe he’s just pretending. Many users point to the fact that his client is exactly one year older than Rattler, which is why he shouldn’t be so calm about this situation.

Even though Shough is entering his rookie year in the NFL as a second-round pick, he will turn 26 next month. Rattler’s birthday is also on September 28, but he will turn 25 instead.

Rattler joined the Saints as a fifth-round pick in 2024. Still, having one season under his belt may have proved the difference in the QB battle this offseason. Only time will tell whether he proves Moore right or if Shough gets a chance to overtake Rattler on the depth chart.

The New Orleans Saints have one of the worst quarterback rooms in the NFL according to many analysts. However, confidence is not something Tyler Shough lacks. The rookie quarterback seems to have lost the battle against second-year signal-caller Spencer Rattler. That hasn’t deterred the rookie from saying big words to the media.

The Saints haven’t officially announced Rattler as the starter but it seems that’s the way they’ll go. After the last preseason game, Shough said, “I felt like it has been enough. I am fully capable to go out there and lead the charge. Obviously, I don’t make those decisions… For me, I feel really comfortable going in from week to week.”

Shough’s outings haven’t been entirely good but he still thinks he can be the QB1 and guide the team moving forward. Head coach Kellen Moore must make a decision soon as the season is only two weeks away.

What does Spencer Rattler think?

Rattler said he has “no doubt” that he can guide the team if Moore decides to put him in the starting role. Rattler already played last year and was arguably the better quarterback of the three (including Jake Haener) in the preseason. However, it wasn’t like he set the world on fire with his play.

Rattler doesn’t fit with what we’ve seen from Kellen Moore’s playbook. Moore likes playing a run-first style and then explode with long passes and vertical routes. One of Rattler’s biggest weaknesses is his arm strength.

What are the Saints’ expectations?

For many outlets, the Saints will be one of, if not the worst team in the NFL. New Orleans has little to no expectations, they should just look into their new coach, buy into his culture and establish their starting quarterback, or flat out wait for the next draft to get one.

Even when looking at the betting odds, the Saints have a set number 5.5 wins, and the oddsmakers suggest the team will have five or less numbers given the prices. Other outlets like USA Today predict a league-worst 2-15 record. It’s going to be a long year for the team.

In what ended up being a 27-13 win for the Chargers in their first preseason game, Moore got a chance to see both the former Louisville standout and Spencer Rattler in action — arguably the two leading candidates to start in Week 1 — pushing Jake Haener down the depth chart.

After the game, the first-time NFL head coach spoke to the media and shared his thoughts on Shough’s performance, stating that the young quarterback will need to learn from his mistakes in order to keep growing.

“That’s what is going to happen in this league as you go through these seasons and so I thought he did a great job,” Moore said via the team’s website. “We’ll learn from the interception, we’ll learn from that one, we’ll grow, but his response was really valuable.”

During his time on the field, the rookie went 15-of-22 for 165 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in his debut as a Saint.

Rattler, the other main contender

Although Moore has not officially spoken about who will be his starting quarterback for the Saints’ season opener on September 7th against the Arizona Cardinals at home, the former Eagles OC knows he has enough talent to fill that role.

Spencer Rattler arrived in New Orleans in 2024, but having Derek Carr ahead of him kept him from seeing the action he hoped for, although he finally got his chance due to the injury of the now-retired QB. Moore, on his part, saw promising signs from the former South Carolina quarterback in his performance against the Chargers last weekend.

“I thought Spencer (Rattler) did some good stuff coming out of there, using his feet in some situations where he had some avoided zone areas,” he said. “He was able to make some plays out of. Probably for us just playing some situational football, we were close on getting in the range for some points and we just weren’t able to get those things done.”

The race for QB1

The competition for the QB1 spot in the Saints’ camp is heating up as the season approaches. With Derek Carr’s retirement, the battle for the starting job is now a three-way race between Jake Haener, Spencer Rattler, and Tyler Shough.

While new head coach Kellen Moore has yet to name a definitive starter, all three quarterbacks are vying for the position in what promises to be a compelling training camp and preseason. The performance of each player during this crucial period will ultimately determine who gets the nod to lead the Saints’ offense.