New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore has officially announced that second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler will start against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1. Rattler, a 24-year-old former South Carolina star, secured the starting position over rookie Tyler Shough, who was selected with the team’s second-round pick in April. The decision marks the Saints as the last NFL team to formally name its starting quarterback, a tradition that had been largely abandoned in recent years.
Rattler’s path to the starting role was shaped by his strong performance in the preseason, where he completed 30 of 43 passes for 295 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. He also showed his potential as a runner, gaining 41 yards on seven carries and adding a two-point conversion. While he appeared in seven games last season, starting six of them, the Saints went 0-6 in those contests. This season, with Moore as head coach, the team is looking to rebuild under new leadership and turn their fortunes around.
Tyler Shough, who was selected in the second round by the Saints, had a different preseason performance. He completed 36 of 54 passes for 333 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. Additionally, Shough also ran for a touchdown on three carries for 23 yards. However, Shough has a history of injuries that limited his playing time, with only one season where he played more than eight games. This may have affected his ability to secure the starting role, despite his college experience, which included playing at Oregon, Texas Tech, and Louisville, where he completed 62.7% of his passes for 3,195 yards, 23 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
Moore, who took over as head coach, has expressed optimism that Rattler’s leadership and performance can help the Saints return to the playoffs. The team finished the 2023 season with a 5-12 record, and Rattler’s presence in the starting lineup is seen as a crucial step in the rebuild. The game against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1 is expected to be a critical test for Rattler as he begins his role as the team’s primary quarterback.
Despite the challenges, the Saints are hopeful that their decision to name Rattler as the starting quarterback will provide the team with the direction and stability needed to make a playoff run in the near future. Fans and analysts will be watching closely as the team looks to put the previous season behind them and focus on a brighter future under Moore’s leadership.