The New Orleans Saints walked into the season with one of the strangest quarterback rooms you'll see. Derek Carr's sudden retirement this offseason left the Saints with Spencer Rattler, Tyler Shough and Jake Haener. Not only was Kellen Moore not concerned, publicly at least, he has justified his confidence throughout the year.
The triumvirate had a total of 0 wins and three years of experience. Rattler lost all 6 of his starts as a rookie. Haener started one game and didn't make it to the end before being benched. Shough was a rookie that seemingly half of the football world believed was drafted too early.
The talk of the offseason was the Saints decision to not add a veteran quarterback. The lack of experience and success was just broken down. Adding a veteran quarterback to either start the season or at the worst mentor the young starter. Instead, Moore banked on the experience of himself and other former quarterbacks on the coaching staff.
Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler's development shows Kellen Moore was right
Rattler ultimately lost the starting role to Shough, but the second year player looked much better than he did in his rookie campaign. He was more decisive with the football and his legs. Rattler seemed to keep holding the ball for too long in Year 1. This year the ball came out faster, and he had a good feel for when to tuck and run.
There are a couple of aspects you could point to as reasons for Rattler's improvement. He had a much better supporting cast around him, and Rattler was just more comfortable after going through his first pro season, as Moore predicted.
Shough has been much better than pundits and fans believed, unless your name is Louis Riddick. Things didn't start this good, however. If they did, then Shough would have been the day 1 starter. The Saints sat and developed Shough in the shadows.
Former Saints linebacker Scott Shanle pointed out the growth from Shough's college film to now. His calm in the pocket is a surprise to most who saw his college tape. Shanle pointed that change out, and the quick turnaround should be credited from coaching.
It wouldn't be a stretch to say Moore has gotten the most out of his young quarterbacks this season. Though Rattler didn't hold on to the job, he looked like he could be a fringe starter under the right conditions. Shough has fans thinking they've found their quarterback of the future. The approach may have been unconventional, but the mentorship via former quarterbacks turned coaches has been proven effective.