Speaking to the press, Etienne said, “Tyler, he’s a great person, talking with him and being with him last night, you can sense the hunger, you can sense that he wants it for the city as well.” Now, the Super Bowl is everybody’s dream, though the Saints have still ways to go before that.

Etienne said that watching Shough improve down the stretch was a key factor to sign with his hometown team. He said it “definitely was a factor.” However, going back to his hometown was the primary motivation.

Shough was the rookie with most wins at the QB position

Shough had more wins than Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel. However, while he impressed more than anyone thought, there are still some doubts around what he can produce long term.

Shough had a 5-4 record, completing 67.6% of his passes for 2,384 yards, 10 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He became very effective under the Kellen Moore scheme. Now, he must avoid the feared sophomore slump.

The NFC South is there for the taking

The NFC South was won by the Panthers last year with an 8-9 record. The Buccaneers also finished 8-9 and their head coach is on the hot seat. Hence, if the Saints keep improving, they might be able to return to the NFL Playoffs.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Saints are interested in bringing in legendary-yet-polarizing kicker Justin Tucker. They will work him out. Regarded as one of the best kickers of all time, Tucker could help this team score more reliably by giving them range and leg strength.

Tucker was cut from the Ravens and has been suspended for 10 games “for violations of the NFL’s personal conduct policy stemming from allegations of improper behavior during massage sessions by 16 massage therapists from eight Baltimore-area spas.” The kicker is trying to get a second chance in the league.

Tucker has also been on a slight decline

Tucker is highly regarded by some as even the best kicker of all time. However, in the last two years, he’s missed 13 field goals and even three extra points. That is unheard of from a kicker that a few years ago, was literally setting records of longest field goals and historical accuracy. None of that is Tucker anymore.

Tucker now needs redemption. He will fight for a spot against third-year kicker Blake Grupe. It’s not the worst competition for Tucker, as Grupe has missed eight field goals this year already. Five of those missed field goals are from less than 50 yards.

The Saints need all the help they can get

The desperation to new head coach Kellen Moore made him bench Spencer Rattler in favor of Tyler Shough. Nothing has changed after that. The Saints have the fourth-worst rushing offense, the seventh-worst total yards offense, and the second-worst scoring offense in the NFL.

Having Tucker would mean that the Saints could be in field goal range as soon as they step into midfield. At least they would have the chance to get more points, even if it’s three instead of a touchdown.

Having their top players available could be a key factor, and fortunately for Kellen Moore and the Saints, both Kamara and Shaheed are expected to play after being listed as questionable for this matchup.

The news was confirmed by NFL reporter Ian Rapoport, who shared the update on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, highlighting this important development for an offense that cannot afford any more setbacks for the remainder of the season.

“RB Alvin Kamara (ankle) and WR Rashid Shaheed (hip) are both listed as questionable and both are expected to play, sources say,” the insider reported via @RapSheet.

Two weapons for Shough

The Saints offense is at a critical juncture as rookie Tyler Shough prepares for his first NFL start. With him taking the New Orleans Saints’ QB1 role after Spencer Rattler’s benching, the pressure is squarely on proven playmakers like running back Alvin Kamara and explosive wide receiver Rashid Shaheed to become the rookie quarterback’s primary security blankets.

Kamara, despite dealing with a nagging ankle issue, needs to re-establish himself as a dynamic threat in both the run and short passing game to ease Shough‘s transition. Similarly, Shaheed, whose deep-play ability is a constant threat, must ensure consistency and reliability on intermediate routes.

Their ability to deliver high-volume, impactful performances will be paramount in giving the young signal-caller the support needed to stabilize a struggling Saints offense.

Thinking about what’s ahead

The New Orleans Saints are at a pivotal point in their 2025 campaign, and with the Week 11 bye looming, the immediate future is all about securing wins. The next two weeks are non-negotiable for an organization fighting to stay relevant, despite having turned to rookie quarterback Tyler Shough.

First up is a difficult road matchup against the surging Los Angeles Rams in Inglewood, followed by a crucial divisional battle against the Carolina Panthers. With the NFC South still mathematically in reach, these two contests before the Week 11 break are absolutely critical.

Head Coach Kellen Moore must galvanize his squad to maximize the win total from this two-game stretch—even one victory would provide much-needed momentum and stability for Shough as they head into their week off, proving the team is fully committed to a win-now approach.

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.

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.

SoFi Stadium will bring an NFL preseason showdown as the Los Angeles Chargers host the New Orleans Saints. These two teams couldn’t be further from each other in terms of their projects but still, in preseason anything can happen. Justin Herbert is an elite quarterback, so he is not forced to play, but will he? On the other side, Tyler Shough is one of three names battling to earn a starting spot in the Big Easy, but is he playing?

Let’s start with Herbert. This will be the Chargers second preseason game as they played on the Hall of Fame game versus the Lions. In that game, it was Trey Lance the one under center. For this game, NFL.com reports that Herbert won’t play, but Lance won’t start either. It’s the turn of Taylor Heinicke.

Jim Harbaugh won’t risk one of the best NFL quarterbacks in a meaningless preseason game, but will give Heinicke the spotlight as he fights to be the second QB on the depth chart. After all, Lance impressed everybody in the Hall of Fame game. He threw for 120 yards, two touchdowns and completed 13/20 passes. Lance had a 114.6 rating in a 34-7 win.

Saints are on a whole other page

While everybody knows who the Chargers QB1 is, no one knows who the Saints starting quarterback will be for the upcoming season. There is a battle between Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener.

According to Saints head coach Kellen Moore, “We’ll start Spencer in the game, and then from there we’ll go Tyler, and then Jake.” It seems that, at least for now, is Rattler’s job to lose.

The QB battle is still open

Rattler has impressed the most in the Saints training camp so this is what gave him the chance to start this game. As Moore said, “He’s earned his way as he’s gone through this.” Moore also added, “It will be a great evaluation piece for us. By no means is it any bigger than the collection of all these practices that have occurred.”

The Saints depth chart lists Rattler, Shough and Haeners as co-starters. Plus, Moore said plenty of the starters won’t play, so no QB will play with the first-string offense.

The NFL season is getting closer and closer to kicking off. Hence, the New Orleans Saints have to make decisions on their roster. Mainly, we’re talking about the quarterback situation, as they have three main names battling to be the starting signal-caller. Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener return for a second year with the team and rookie Tyler Shough enters the fray to become the new face of the franchise.

However, there was another name on the depth chart, but the Saints made the decision to part ways with him. Hunter Dekkers was cut from the team as he wasn’t able to insert himself in the QB battle.

Dekkers signed with the Saints in May. He was part of the team’s rookie minicamp. This means the only three quarterbacks on the depth chart are Shough, Rattler and Haener.

Dekkers was cut to make room for others

Dekkers, who played for Iowa State in College, led the Big 12 last year in completion percentage (66.1%) and pass attempts. However, he also led the conference in interceptions with 14.

By him getting cut, the Saints made room to make another roster move. The team signed punter Kai Kroeger in a corresponding move. Kroeger was with the Jets after being an undrafed free agent, but was cut earlier this month. The Saints saw the opportunity to grab him and didn’t stutter.

So what happens with the Saints’ quarterback battle?

As of now, it’s rookie Tyler Shough the one posted as QB1 on the depth chart. However, the latest reports say it’s an open battle still. Haener was the one who looked the worst in 2024 compared to Spencer Rattler.

However, Rattler was not blowing minds away. He showed he still has lots to improve in terms of reading defenses, being able to go through his progressions fast enough and decision-making. This is not a stacked QB depth chart by any means, but the Saints are trying to do the most of what they have.

The New Orleans Saints are in the middle of the quarterback battle. However, when you draft a quarterback in the earlier rounds, some might assume that is the guy to be at the pole position to become an NFL starter. Apparently, that’s not the case for Tyler Shough, who was drafted in the second round. That’s not the case for one of his teammates.

Foster Moreau has served the Saints as a tight end for the past two years. He got 413 yards and 5 touchdowns last season. Speaking to Sirius XM NFL Radio, “I don’t think this front office is just going to hand him the keys. I think he’s truly going to have to prove it,” Moreau said.

The thing is the Saints also have two other relatively young quarterbacks on their roster. Jake Haener is a fourth-round pick in 2023, and Spencer Rattler a fifth-round pick in 2024. Both took over after Derek Carr’s injury but neither had good results. However, Shough is not precisely the best prospect ever, so this is a wide-open battle.

Spencer Rattler is the most intriguing of them all

Once projected to be a first overall pick, Rattler’s stock and reputation took a turn for the worse in his last few years in college. He had to stay at the collegiate level for a couple more seasons and fell off all the way to a fifth-round pick. However, if you were once touted as a first overall pick, that’s because the raw talent was there.

If there is a version of that Rattler anywhere, that would be the best-case scenario for the Saints. Recovering that player is a big-time problem as Rattler is years removed from being that good of a prospect, but given the team’s expectations this season and their cap space issues, they might as well try to see who their best quarterback is.

The Saints will most likely be a bottom-barrel team

The Saints have some talent on their roster. Wideout Chris Olave and running back Alvin Kamara are top-tier talents in the league but the Saints need way more than just two talented guys to make enough points to win football games.

Defensively, they gave massive money to defensive end Chase Young who has been failing to live up to his potential. However, if he can recoup, he is an elite talent. Then, they have Demario Davis, Justin Reid and Tyrann Mathieu to go along the way.

They have potential stars and players past their primes, but the team can still be somewhat productive. However, they need to figure out who their quarterback will be.