A quarterback is lighting it up at New Orleans Saints training camp, but it isn't Tyler Shough. Spencer Rattler has been one of the standout players from the first week of camp. I mean, who do you think is delivering all the deep balls to Barion Brown?
Brown has been the undisputed star of camp because of the big plays the rookie has been making downfield. He's done his part getting separation, but he hasn't had to make difficult grabs at the catch point because the ball was right on the money. Even an open deep ball is subject to inaccuracy, but Rattler has consistently dropped it in the bucket.
Brown's big play on Thursday was labeled the throw of camp, but because it was another big play for Brown, the throw part got a bit overshadowed. It genuinely was a beautiful pass, as Rattler eluded pressure, wouldn't have been a sack in live action either, rolled out to his left and threw a dot 40 yards down the field off balance.
Spencer Rattler's big camp is a win for the Saints on mutliple fronts
On one hand, Rattler's auspicious start to camp brings back up the narrative that's surrounded Rattler all offseason. He's a young quarterback with potential and starting experience. Everyone is waiting for some team to say they want Rattler.
There isn't room to move up for him in New Orleans because Shough is cemented as the starter, but during the offseason, many wondered if the Saints would trade him somewhere without such a firm starter in place. That'll be more difficult to do now that teams are a bit more solidified, but not impossible.
He likely won't flat out earn a starting job anywhere, but Rattler could prove himself with a strong preseason and remain a hot trade candidate in case of injury. It's a never ending story, but that's a testament of Rattler's talent.
On the other hand, the better Rattler looks, the better the Saints get to feel about their quarterback room. Teams across the league learn about the value of a backup on a yearly basis. The Saints learned it near the end of Drew Brees' tenure, and other squads have learned it with much worse results.
Having a player like Rattler that can step in in case of an injury to Shough is a valuable asset. They aren't going to just ship Rattler away for nothing, but he could force his way out by driving his stock up in the preseason.
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