After Derek Carr's impromptu retirement, the New Orleans Saints are in an advantageous spot for a team with a depleted roster and no clear vision of the future. New coach Kellen Moore is an offensive guru who helped spearhead the Eagles' ascent from an above-average to an unstoppable unit last season.
Now, he has a truly blank canvas to work with in New Orleans.
The Saints have a question mark next to QB1, but they have three young options: Jake Haener, Spencer Rattler, and Tyler Shough. Haener will reportedly miss some extended time with an oblique injury, leaving the latter two names to likely duke it out for the coveted position.
Two league insiders have predicted who has the inside track.
On the "Scoop City" podcast, Jacob Robinson and former Saint Chase Daniel gave their insight. Shough is well ahead of Rattler as things stand.
"I think it's Tyler Shough's job to lose," Robinson said. "They brought him in—he was handpicked by Kellen Moore. He wants him to be his quarterback. We saw last year what Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener brought to the table, and it was pretty underwhelming. You're drafting Shough for him to play now."
"Tyler Shough walks in, and I think he's a day-one starter based on the team they have around him," Daniel added.
Shough might be a 25-year-old rookie, but in this situation, with the lack of experience of the other choices, his age matters significantly less.
He has the size and athletic profile—it comes down to processing next-level defenses and proving he can stay healthy.
Shough has the clear talent advantage, and if he can digest the system, he has a great chance to be under center against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1.
