Spencer Rattler is back in the starting lineup for the New Orleans Saints, and his performance could greatly impact the future of the franchise.
When the New Orleans Saints drafted Spencer Rattler in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, everyone knew that if everything went according to plan, he wouldn’t see the field during his rookie season. However, things rarely go according to plan in sports, and Rattler is preparing to start his fourth game of his rookie season.
The young quarterback first got the nod in Week 6, after Derek Carr sustained an oblique injury that sidelined him for three weeks. Rattler started all three games in his absence, and while the team lost all three contests, the rookie QB had plenty of promising flashes that excited fans.
Still, he wouldn’t see the field again until Week 15. With Carr sidelined again with a hand injury, the Saints named second-year quarterback Jake Haener as the starter this time. However, after an underwhelming first half from Haener, Rattler took over in the third quarter, and nearly led the team to a comeback.
This time around, Rattler looked even better than before, and there’s palpable excitement for his Week 16 start against the Green Bay Packers. While the franchise is holding out hope that Carr can return before the season is over, these next three games could be franchise defining if Rattler gets to start all three.
With a strong performance to end the year, Rattler could dramatically influence the offseason, convincing the organization that he deserves to be QB1 moving forward.
Spencer Rattler could prove he deserves to be QB1 for the Saints
It’s no secret New Orleans is at a crossroads as a franchise. The Saints are headed towards a fourth straight year without making the postseason, and they have a ton of high-paid veterans that will be moving on soon. That includes Derek Carr, who is under contract for two more seasons, however, it’s clear he’s not the long-term solution at QB.
If Rattler can string together some impressive games, it’s very possible the team could enter the offseason with the plan to give Rattler the keys and build around him. That approach could look much different than New Orleans thinking it needs to start over entirely.
