Spencer Rattler will take the first snap in the New Orleans Saints‘ final preseason quarterback competition when they face the Denver Broncos on Saturday. Saints head coach Kellen Moore announced that Rattler, a key contender in the ongoing Saints QB battle, will start the game, with Tyler Shough expected to join in after many starters have played.
Close Competition Between Rattler and Shough
Both quarterbacks have had extensive playing time throughout the preseason and have delivered mixed results. Tyler Shough completed 15 of 22 passes for 165 yards, including one touchdown and one interception, while Rattler completed 7 of 11 passes for 53 yards without scoring or turnovers in one outing.
In another game, Rattler connected on 18 of 24 passes for 199 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, with Shough going 9 of 12 for 66 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions. These performances highlight the tight competition for the starting QB position.
Rattler’s Impactful Comeback Drives Illustrate Potential
Rattler’s showing against the Jacksonville Jaguars was notable beyond statistics. Facing a 17-3 deficit in the second half, Rattler orchestrated two field-goal drives during the third quarter, culminating with a touchdown pass to Dante Pettis in the final half-minute. Rattler then successfully ran in a two-point conversion to tie the game at 17, which ended in a draw.
The Stakes for Both Quarterbacks Are High
Rattler aims to improve on his 2024 season, which ended with a 0-6 record and four touchdown passes against five interceptions. Meanwhile, the Saints invested a second-round draft pick in Tyler Shough and will likely want to utilize his talents sooner rather than later, especially with Shough turning 26 next month and at an age where extended development time is less common.
Coach Moore Emphasizes How Tight the QB Battle Has Been
Kellen Moore acknowledged the difficulty of the decision ahead of the preseason finale.
“It’s really, really close—numbers, experiences, reps, everything—it’s going all the way back to the start of training camp,”
Moore said.
“Everything is very, very close between this group. We’ll see how it all plays out.”
With both Rattler and Shough so evenly matched, Saturday’s game could be decisive in determining who earns the role of starting quarterback for the Saints.