The Arizona Cardinals more or less know all their starting jobs. They have other decisions to make for the 53-man roster. However, their Week 1 opponent, the New Orleans Saints, has a major decision still to make.
They don’t know who will be their starting quarterback to start the season when they host the Cardinals.
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One player seems to be slightly in the lead.
That would be former Arizona prep star Spencer Rattler. Battling with rookie Tyler Shough, drafted in the second round this year, Rattler is starting in the Saints’ preseason finale and has been taking more of the first-team snaps in practice.
Rattler went 0-6 as a starter last season, his rookie year as a fifth-round pick. He completed only 57% of his passes and had four touchdown passes to five interceptions and was sacked 22 times.
The fact that he leads the QB race slightly is bad news for the Saints. In this situation, they would clearly want Shough to win the job, even if showing the slightest upside. He has struggled.
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In either case, the Cardinals should be seen as a big favorite. Their roster is miles ahead of the Saints’ in talent and achievement.
Things could still change, but it looks like Rattler will be the Cardinals’ first opposing quarterback of the year.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Spencer Rattler has slight lead in QB battle for Saints