Feb. 27, 2026, 12:30 p.m. CT
As a rookie, quarterback Spencer Rattler got far more playing time than anyone had anticipated. Rattler was a fifth round choice by the Saints in the 2024 NFL draft from the South Carolina Gamecocks. He was the first quarterback picked after six were chosen in the first round. However, Rattler was expected to learn and develop behind starting quarterback Derek Carr.
An injury to Carr thrust Rattler into the starting lineup in Week 6. Rattler would start six games as a rookie because of injuries to Carr. The Saints lost all six of those outings, averaging a lowly 11.2 offensive points with Rattler as the starter. Rattler completed 57% of his throws for an average of slightly over 200 yards per outing with 4 touchdowns and 5 interceptions.
Carr stepped away from football during the 2025 offseason. However, Rattler would have to earn a job under a new coach in Kellen Moore after his rookie struggles. He’d also have to fight off 2025 second round draft choice Tyler Shough for the role.
Spencer Rattler Year in ReviewPosition: QuarterbackAge: 25Height: 6-feetWeight: 211 poundsNFL experience: 2 years (with Saints)2025 season: 9 games (8 starts)Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.
Replacing Carr would come down to a training camp and preseason battle between Rattler and Shough. Both had some decent moments in a close competition, as Rattler showed noticeable improvement over his rookie woes. Kellen Moore ultimately named Rattler the season opening starter, though most felt it would only be a matter of time before Shough got his chance.
Rattler completed 27 of 46 throws for 214 yards with no touchdowns but no turnovers during a season-opening loss to the Cardinals. In the game, he took care of the ball well and showed a decent if conservative grasp of the offense but was unable to make any plays down the field. This would ultimately be the story of the New Orleans offense under the second-year quarterback.
Rattler remained the starter for the first eight weeks. He completed 67.7% of his throws for an average of 199 yards with 8 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. His play was clearly better than his rookie output. However, the Saints averaged only 15 points in those starts and were among the league’s worst on third downs with a 1-7 record. After replacing a benched Rattler in the second half of a Week 8 loss to Tampa Bay, rookie Tyler Shough was installed as the starter for the rest of the season.
New Orleans needed to make the change behind center. The bottom line was that the Saints just didn’t score enough points or make enough plays with Rattler at quarterback. Supporting cast also had something to do with it, but Rattler had a 1-13 record as a starter. New Orleans averaged only 14.5 points in those games and scored more than 20 points offensively just once.
Spencer Rattler eclipsed 200 passing yards in six of his eight starts, looking far better than he did from his first year. Shough looks like the Saints quarterback of the future, but Rattler established that he can be counted on if the team needs to turn to him for a short term. Rattler even showed enough to perhaps even entice a team to trade for him this offseason.