Look, the New Orleans Saints just put their pads on. We should probably give them some time to learn everyone’s names before we start making assumptions about the season. But where is the fun in that?

Early reports out of Saints camp have been centered around two things, injuries and the quarterbacks. As far as the injuries go, there was a scare with Saints All-Pro J.T. Gray this week, where reports came out that Gray had been hurt. However Saints Head Coach Kellen Moore helped calm some of those concerns pretty quickly. But its still something to watch.

The second big note is about the quarterback competition.

Is Tyler Shough Already Struggling For The Saints?

Saints Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough is the highest quarterback that the Saints have selected in the draft since Archie Manning. He was the quarterback that the Saints seemed to prioritize over almost the entire draft class. But is he going to be the best quarterback on his own team?

Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Early in camp, reporters seem to think that Spencer Rattler has been outperforming Shough. The same Spencer Rattler who lost all of his starts for the Saints last year.

But just the fact that Rattler played in those games last year probably does give him a leg up on Shough. He’s the veteran in this situation, he’s seen the NFL field at full speed, and is definitely better for it…even if he doesn’t have a win yet.

READ MORE: The Saints Have Some New, Old, Jerseys

Not to mention Rattler is more mobile than Shough, which could work better in Moore’s high octane offense.

Reasons Saints Fans Should Be Worried About Tyler Shough

If Shough gets beat out for the starting job in camp, ok…he’s a rookie versus a veteran. So fine. But if Shough doesn’t earn playing time early in the season, there could be some problems coming.

Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

Just on the surface, Shough is older than Rattler. Which is an odd dynamic. But worse than that is Shough was in the same college recruiting class as Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields, who have both been starting quarterbacks in the NFL for years already.

So the team used their highest pick on a quarterback since Archie Manning on a quarterback who is older than 10-12 other established starting quarterbacks across the league, and he is getting beat in camp by a guy that went 0-6 last year (and is younger than him)? That’s why fans should already be worried about Shough.

Every Saints First Round NFL Draft Trade Since 2010

Derek Carr’s Saints Career in Pictures

Derek Carr joined the New Orleans Saints in March of 2023. His first full season in New Orleans was filled with tough games, including a lot of hits on the quarterback. This was a trend for his whole Saints career, where Carr played through injuries for much of his time with the Saints.