With New Orleans Saints training camp in full swing, second-year signal caller Spencer Rattler is making it difficult for coaches to look away. According to reports, Rattler has shown leadership, confidence, and vocal command during drills, quickly emerging as a standout presence within the team’s crowded quarterback room.
Rattler, drafted in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, has flashed the kind of confidence and decisiveness that has fans and analysts buzzing. As noted by FanSided, his consistent play and competitive edge are forcing the team to reevaluate its pecking order at the position.
While this year’s second-round pick, Tyler Shough, is the presumptive starter, he doesn’t have the job locked up by any stretch. “Shough has a bad reputation for making horrible in-game decisions,” writes Fansided’s John Buhler. “He may look like a Greek god in shorts, but there is a chance that Spencer Rattler is, in fact, (the Saints’) best option.”
Tyler Shough’s Window Closing Fast
Tyler Shough has struggled to separate himself in camp. Though given multiple opportunities to take first-team reps, his performances haven’t matched Rattler’s urgency or accuracy. With limited reps and a less consistent presence, Shough’s selection, especially given his injury history and inconsistency in college, is beginning to look like a questionable move.
New Orleans surprised many when it drafted Shough following the retirement of Derek Carr, seemingly tripling down on developmental quarterback prospects. While that kind of competition can elevate a locker room, it can also slow a team down. As it stands now, Shough may be losing ground fast with head coach Kellen Moore nearing the time to name a starter.
The Saints have already begun trimming their quarterback depth. As Sports Illustrated reported, the team released undrafted rookie Hunter Dekker. That move, combined with Rattler’s rapid rise, puts even more pressure on Shough.
Could a Trey Lance Trade Be Next?
Adding another layer to the situation, New Orleans has reportedly been linked to a possible trade for former first-round pick Trey Lance. Now with the Los Angeles Chargers, Lance’s trade value has surged after a strong preseason showing.
The Saints are named among potential suitors by Fansided’s Wynston Wilcox. New Orleans “could probably benefit from veteran experience in the quarterback room,” Wilcox wrote. “If he does enough to impress Kellen Moore, it could be a chance for him to prove he can be a starter in the NFL again.”
Bringing in Lance would immediately shift the dynamic of the quarterback room. Not only would it potentially force Rattler into a backup or third-string role, but it would almost certainly end any real opportunity for Shough in New Orleans this season.
Rattler Looks Like the Right Pick—For Now
While it’s too early to make any definitive statements, it’s becoming clearer by the day that Spencer Rattler is winning the offseason. His poise, leadership, and physical tools are putting him in a position to stick with the Saints long-term.
“I know what I bring to the table,” Rattler said. “I was confident in what I can do in this competition. I feel like that brings the best out of me. And I feel like throughout this camp, I’ve been the best quarterback on the field.”
Tyler Shough, on the other hand, appears to be on the outside looking in. Unless he turns things around quickly, the Saints’ decision to bring him in might end up as a short-lived experiment.
With rumors swirling about Trey Lance and a clear pecking order emerging, New Orleans’ quarterback carousel is just getting started.
