The New Orleans Saints have ended the NFL's final quarterback competition by choosing second-year pro Spencer Rattler over rookie Tyler Shough as the 2025 Week 1 starter. The team's first-year head coach, Kellen Moore, confirmed the news during his media availability in the moments leading up to the NFL's 53-man roster deadline.
This felt like the expected outcome, though fans are probably (and rightfully) wondering what this means for second-round rookie Tyler Shough. Rest assured, Who Dat Nation, because this feels like the beginning of a carousel ride.
With the Saints firmly in contention for the 2026 No. 1 overall pick, it's easy to envision each of Rattler and Shough getting opportunities. Plus, considering how the former fared last season, does anyone believe he'll hang onto the job?
It's only a matter of time before Tyler Shough supplants Spencer Rattler as Saints' QB1
Those clinging to Rattler's status as the top passing prospect in the recruiting class of 2019 had their dreams effectively shattered in 2024. Frankly, saying he was subpar in his inaugural pro campaign is a generous understatement. Granted, his supporting cast vanished, and the situation in New Orleans was dire, though things aren't much better now.
Rattler went 0-6 across seven appearances (six starts) while boasting a four-to-five touchdown-to-interception ratio last year. He posted a meager 57.0 completion percentage and a brutal 34.8 percent success rate, and both were well below league average. Conversely, his 8.80 percent sack rate was among the highest in football. The fact that Shough couldn't beat him out may sound alarms in New Orleans, though this appears to be part of the plan.
Shough's agent, Erik Burkhardt of Roc Nation Sports, took to social media to approve the Saints' decision to slow-play his client's development. Moore was very complimentary of the former Louisville standout when discussing the choice to roll with Rattler. New Orleans ostensibly has a vision -- until they don't.
Predicting when Tyler Shough will make his first NFL start
If Rattler struggles, he may leave the Saints with no choice but to accelerate their timeline for Shough. However, they don't want to throw the latter into the fire and hurt his confidence. With that in mind, some matchups present softer landing spots than others if Moore makes the switch.
Post-bye at home against a leaky Atlanta Falcons secondary in Week 12 presents an ideal chance for Shough to make his regular-season debut. Whether the Saints have the patience to stick with Rattler for that long bears watching. Should New Orleans elect to pivot sooner, Week 6 against a young New England Patriots squad is another possibility.
New Orleans prioritizing Shough's long-term growth over his immediate impact is in the franchise's best interest. Taking this approach with a newcomer who turns 26 in September might seem questionable, but the Saints invested heavily in him. With little going for them this upcoming season, there's no need to rush, unless Rattler forces their hand.