The rest of regular season could be an audition for Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler.
On Tuesday, NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that quarterback Derek Carr is "at least a few weeks away from being able to withstand contact."
"With three weeks remaining," Rapoport continued, "a return this season is described as very unlikely."
Later, NewOrleans.Football's Nick Underhill reported that Rattler will get another start.
When asked how realistic it is that interim coach Darren Rizzi benches Week 15 starter Jake Haener for Rattler, Underhill bluntly responded.
"We saw the game. Spencer Ratter will be the starter" Week 16 against the Packers on "Monday Night Football."
Rattler nearly led the Saints to a comeback win over the Commanders (9-5) after trailing 17-0.
He finished the game 10-of-21 for 135 yards and one touchdown.
Rattler breathed life into the moribund offense with a sensational 39-yard completion to wide receiver Marques Valdez-Scantling.
We're still not sure how he completed that pass. Rattler launched the ball over center Erik McCoy right before being hit, and it landed perfectly in Valdez-Scantling's hands for the huge gain.
Rattler almost completed the comeback with a touchdown to tight end Foster Moreau as time expired to cut Washington's lead to one, 20-19.
New Orleans' two-point conversion was unsuccessful, but Rattler's performance was arguably the most exciting thing to happen to the franchise since its two-game win streak at the start of the season.
With a decision on Carr's 2025 contract looming, the rest of the regular season could determine who starts at quarterback for the Saints next year.
Rattler started three games earlier this season under former head coach Dennis Allen. He struggled, going 59-of-99 (59.6 percent) for 571 yards (5.8 yards per attempt), one touchdown and two interceptions. He was sacked 14 times and lost two fumbles.
The Saints averaged 15 points per game, 9.5 points less per game than their average with Carr as quarterback.
Rattler must improve over his first audition to be a viable contender for New Orleans' starting quarterback job in 2025.
He already looked better in one key area against the Commanders: throwing under pressure. Per Pro Football Focus data, Rattler was 3-of-5 for 70 yards (14 yards per attempt) and no sacks when pressured against Washington. In Weeks 6-8, Rattler was 11-of-27 (40.7 percent) for 131 yards (4.9 yards per attempt), one interception and 14 sacks when under duress.
The Saints have financial motivations to want Rattler to succeed.
Carr's $30 million 2025 salary becomes fully guaranteed on the third day of the 2025 league year (Mar. 14, 2025).
While Carr has been solid as New Orleans' starting quarterback, it hasn't led to wins.
The Saints could be in rebuild mode. They traded cornerback Marshon Lattimore at this year's trade deadline for draft capital and have multiple veterans nearing the end of their careers.
They're once again backed into a salary cap corner, entering the offseason $63.8 million over the estimated 2025 salary cap. New Orleans leads the league in dead money ($48.4 million), led by Lattimore ($31.7 million).
Rattler, in the first year of his rookie contract, would be a cheap quarterback option for New Orleans as it deals with its financial strain. Rattler is set to earn $3.5 million over the next three seasons. (h/t Spotrac)
The Saints might be out of the playoff picture, but the rest of their season isn't meaningless.
Considering their quarterback uncertainty, plenty is at stake over the next three weeks.
