Bleacher Report's Moe Moton went through each NFL division and predicted who would finish last. For the NFC South, he predicted that the New Orleans Saints would be the bottom of the barrel.
Moton believes that the drop-off from Derek Carr to whoever starts—Jake Haener, Tyler Shough, or Spencer Rattler—will be significant enough that the Saints could finish the 2025 season with a top-five pick. He says that unless the Saints make a move for a star-caliber quarterback, New Orleans will be one of the three bottom-scoring teams this year.
Additionally, Moton says that wide receivers Rashid Shaheed and Chris Olave could have modest receiving numbers because of the QB situation. Moton suggests that instead of giving Alvin Kamara a heavy workload, they should do a running back by committee.
Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough deserve more respect
Despite what Moton says, and there shouldn't be a severe drop-off at the position. Rattler and Shough are looking primed to surprise in 2025. They're already showing themselves to be willing leaders. Both Shough and Rattler have hosted workouts with the Saints receivers outside of OTAs and mini-camp. These practices demonstrate that the two are actively working on chemistry as well.
On the football field, Rattler has been seen in seven games—including six starts—and has completed 130/228 passes for 1,317 yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions. His rookie season left much to be desired but also showed flashes of talent to build on. It's just about which you look at.
While he is a rookie, Tyler Shough still has plenty of experience, having spent seven years at the college football level. Through multiple season-ending injuries, Shough attended three separate colleges and completed 599/951 passes for 7,820 passing yards with 59 touchdowns and 23 interceptions.
The expected running back by committee to be run by the Saints should also benefit the offense greatly. Featuring Kendre Miller, Cam Akers, and rookie Devin Neal (who was a legend at Kansas), Alvin Kamara should have a much lighter load come the 2025 season. This will allow Kamara to remain fresher and hopefully maximize his touches, while also keeping pressure off the young quarterbacks.
None of them have been in the league as long as Carr, but they have done something he struggled with: connecting with the team and the fans. Rattler also seen at the New Orleans Saints HOF Celebrity Golf Classic. Shough has used food to get into the good graces of the city. He got off on the right foot with the city, having his first meal at Drago's Seafood Restaurant.