Kellen Moore explains Saints’ decision to name Spencer Rattler starting quarterback

At long last, the New Orleans Saints’ quarterback competition finally has a winner. On Tuesday, Saints head coach Kellen Moore announced the decision to make Spencer Rattler the Week 1 starter. Rattler beat out rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, who will serve as his backup this season. Jake Haener, who was technically the third man in the competition but never really had a chance, was waived by the team.

When announcing the starter to the media, Moore praised Rattler for the offseason he put together. He explained that the second-year quarterback has been consistent, a good decision maker, and has shown the ability to make plays with both his arm and legs. Because of all of that, Rattler has earned the job of QB1, and the Saints are excited to see him go to work.

Saints name Spencer Rattler as starting quarterback over Tyler Shough

While this will be Rattler’s first time entering an NFL season as QB1, it won’t be his first time as the Saints starter. The quarterback started six games, and played in another, as a rookie last season when Derek Carr was hurt. Rattler completed 57% of his passes for 1,317 yards and four touchdowns, while also throwing five interceptions. New Orleans was 0-6 in Rattler’s starts, but that had much more to do with a ton of the Saints’ key players being injured, and the team playing bad football as a whole.

Rattler flashed a ton of promise in those seven games, but he also had some rookie moments, as expected. Now, a year later, he’ll enter the year as the starter and will look to put a much better season together.

As for Shough, who the Saints selected in the second round this year with the 40th-overall pick, he will be QB2 — one play away from having his number called. Moore expressed that he was proud of the rookie’s development this offseason, and New Orleans is lucky to have him, as the franchise will continue to develop him.

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