Tag: Spencer Rattler

Aug 23, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (2) throws against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

Saints choose QB1: Spencer Rattler over Tyler Shough

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Spencer Rattler will be the starting quarterback when the New Orleans Saints open their season against the visiting Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 7.

New head coach Kellen Moore made the announcement on Tuesday afternoon after a tight competition between Rattler and rookie Tyler Shough, a second-round pick (40th overall) in the 2025 NFL Draft.

“Really, really excited for (Rattler),” Moore said. “He’s done an awesome job this offseason. He’s just been consistent. He’s made some really good decisions throughout this whole, entire process. His ability to make plays with his arm and his feet have certainly showed up.”

The Saints were deciding between three quarterbacks, including veteran Jake Haener, after starter Derek Carr’s rather sudden, injury-related retirement after the draft in April. Haener started one game last season but dealt with an injury in training camp and was waived at the 53-man roster deadline on Tuesday.

Rattler, who turns 25 on Sept. 28, was a fifth-round pick in the 2024 draft. He played in seven games as a rookie, starting six (all losses) and completing 130 of 228 passes for 1,137 yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions.

This month, he started the first and third preseason games and was 30 of 43 for 295 yards, one touchdown and one interception, as well as rushing seven times for 41 yards.

“Obviously excited to be the guy going into Week 1,” Rattler told reporters, via Audacy Sports. “Want to lead this team, want to lead these guys. Just keep fighting, that’s one thing I can promise is putting my all on that field and I know everybody else will. Good to gain that confidence from your coach to make that decision.”

Shough, who turns 26 on the same birthday as Rattler, played one season at Louisville, in 2024, and led the Cardinals to a 9-4 record while passing for 3,195 yards, 23 touchdowns and six interceptions.

He previously played at Oregon (2018-20) and Texas Tech(2021-23), appearing in 42 total college games and throwing for 7,820 yards with 59 TDs and 23 interceptions.

“… we’re really, really fortunate we got Tyler (Shough),” Moore said. “Love the development that he’s had over the course of this entire offseason. He’s done a number of things for the first time in his career, just navigating that. I think that’s an important aspect when you’re a younger quarterback to let the entire process play itself out.”

Shough was 36 of 54 for 333 yards, one touchdown and one pick. He also rushed three times for 23 yards and a TD.

“I thought he capped it off with just an excellent performance against Denver on the last preseason game,” Moore said of Shough. “I thought he did a really, really good job. I’m a big believer in just the importance of developing quarterbacks, developing them the right way. There’s a process for both of these guys (that) gives them the space to develop. We think we got two guys that are going to have great careers for us.”

–Field Level Media

Jun 10, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) and quarterback Spencer Rattler (2) and quarterback Hunter Dekkers (18) take a water break during minicamp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Saints’ QB competition ongoing and ‘really close,’ coach says

Posted on | by Field Level Media

While 31 of the 32 NFL teams have named their starting quarterback in this final week of training camp with Week 1 coming into focus, the New Orleans Saints haven’t settled on a starter just yet.

New head coach Kellen Moore said they’ll use this week to evaluate whether second-year QB Spencer Rattler or rookie Tyler Shough — the Saints’ second-round pick in April — will be named the starter. As Moore told reporters, the team has three practice days and their final preseason game versus the Denver Broncos (in New Orleans) to help them determine a starter.

“It’s really, really close — numbers, experiences, reps, everything — it’s going all the way back to the start of training camp,” Moore told ESPN. “Everything is very, very close between this group.”

Even their preseason numbers have been close. Rattler has completed 71.4 percent of his passes for 252 yards, one touchdown and one interception while being sacked three times. Shough has completed 70.6 percent of his throws for 231 yards, one score and one INT while being sacked four times. Rattler does have 41 rushing yards (on six scrambles) while Shough has just one run for three yards.

The Saints host the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Sept. 7, at 1 p.m. ET to open the regular season.

–Field Level Media

Aug 14, 2025; Carson, CA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) during a joint practice against the Los Angeles Rams at the Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Saints QB Tyler Shough to start vs. Jaguars

Posted on | by Field Level Media

New Orleans Saints rookie Tyler Shough will get the start for Sunday’s preseason game against the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars, head coach Kellen Moore announced on Saturday.

The Saints did not divulge their plan for who would replace Shough at quarterback after the second-round pick departs Sunday’s game.

Shough, 25, completed 15 of 22 passes for 165 yards with one touchdown in last week’s 27-13 setback to the Los Angeles Chargers. He also threw an interception that was returned for a score.

Spencer Rattler went 7-of-11 for 53 yards versus the Chargers, while Jake Haener completed 5 of 8 passes for 41 yards and an interception.

–Field Level Media

May 10, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) during rookie minicamp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Saints rookie Tyler Shough signs deal, has inside track for QB1

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Tyler Shough signed his rookie contract with the Saints on Monday, putting him one step closer to taking over as the starting quarterback in New Orleans.

Spotrac reported the contract is for four years and a fully guaranteed $10.8 million.

The Saints selected Shough in the second round, No. 40 overall, in the 2025 NFL Draft in April. Just two weeks later, starting quarterback Derek Carr announced his injury-related retirement.

While new Saints coach Kellen Moore has made no commitments, Shough is the presumptive QB1.

Shough, 25, led Louisville to a 9-4 record while passing for 3,195 yards, 23 touchdowns and six interceptions in his senior season.

He previously played at Oregon and Texas Tech, appearing in 42 total college games and throwing for 7,820 yards with 59 TDs and 23 interceptions.

The Saints also have Spencer Rattler, 24, on the roster. He was a fifth-round pick out of South Carolina in 2024. He was 0-6 as a starter, completing 57 percent of his passes for 1,317 yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions as a rookie.

Other returnee Jake Haener recently suffered an oblique strain, costing him several offseason workouts. He completed 18 of 39 passes for 226 yards with a touchdown and an interception in eight games (one start) last season.

–Field Level Media

Dec 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) drops back to pass against the New York Giants during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Saints QB Derek Carr retiring after 11 seasons

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New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr is retiring from the NFL after 11 seasons due to a right shoulder injury.

The Saints said Saturday that Carr had a labral tear and degenerative rotator cuff damage to his right throwing shoulder.

Carr, 34, had been experiencing discomfort in his shoulder since sustaining a left hand injury during a game against the New York Giants on Dec. 8.

“Upon reflection of prayer, and in discussion with (wife) Heather, I’ve decided to retire from the National Football League,” Carr said. “For more than 11 years, we have been incredibly blessed, and we are forever grateful and humbled by this experience. It’s difficult to find the right words to express our thanks to all the teammates, coaches, management, ownership, team officials and especially the fans who made this journey so special. Your unwavering support has meant the world to us.”

The Saints, in their statement, said Carr made the decision after consulting with medical experts.

“Surgery was an option, jeopardizing the entire 2025 season, yet there was no guarantee Derek would return to the level of strength, function and performance of play to which he was accustomed,” the team said.

The Saints selected quarterback Tyler Shough in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft last month. They also have 2024 fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler and 2023 fourth-round selection Jake Haener on the roster.

Carr was 14-13 as the starter in New Orleans over two seasons, although he was limited to 10 games in 2024 due to injuries.

A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Carr has thrown for 41,245 yards and 257 touchdowns against 112 interceptions for the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders (2014-22) and Saints. He was selected by the Raiders in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft out of Fresno State.

–Field Level Media

Oct 27, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Jake Haener (3) sets to pass in the second half against the against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Reports: Saints QB Jake Haener to get first start

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The New Orleans Saints will give quarterback Jake Haener his first NFL start on Sunday against the Washington Commanders, according to multiple media reports on Thursday night.

Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi was choosing between second-year player Haener and rookie Spencer Rattler to replace starter Derek Carr, who has not practiced this week because of a fracture in his left (non-throwing) hand and also a concussion.

The two reserves have been sharing reps at practice, and Rizzi confirmed that they are competing to start for the host Saints (5-8) against the Commanders (8-5).

“They’re both guys that throw the ball well, they’re both similar size guys, athletic ability is very similar,” Rizzi said this week. “There’ll be some nuances in the game plan, depending on which guy starts, naturally. … But it’s not going to be this wholesale deal.”

The Saints selected Haener in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Fresno State. He did not appear in a game last season.

Haener, 25, has played as a reserve in seven games this season and is 14 of 29 (48.3 percent) for 177 yards and one touchdown.

Rattler, 24, started all three games that he has played this season in place of the injured Carr (oblique) and was 59 of 99 (59.6 percent) for 571 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. The Saints lost all three games.

New Orleans drafted Rattler in the fifth round this year out of South Carolina.

Carr, 33, was injured when he tried to leap for a first down late in the final quarter of a 14-11 road win against the New York Giants on Sunday. He was near the sideline and went airborne, landing hard on the left hand with his face then slamming into the turf as he landed out of bounds with 3:59 left in the game.

Carr completed 20 of 31 passes for 219 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Haener finished up the game for the Saints.

Overall, Carr has passed for 2,145 yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions this season.

–Field Level Media

Oct 7, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) reacts after an injury during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Saints QB Derek Carr (oblique) not expected back this week

Posted on | by Field Level Media

New Orleans quarterback Derek Carr, who hasn’t played since sustaining an oblique injury in Week 5, has resumed throwing but is unlikely to return this week, Saints coach Dennis Allen said Wednesday.

Allen said he expects rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler to start Sunday’s game for the Saints (2-5) against the host Los Angeles Chargers (3-3). Carr took part in throwing sessions on Monday and Tuesday as the coaches gauge his progress.

Rattler, 24, was a fifth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of South Carolina. He has started the past two games and has completed 52.7 percent of his passes for 415 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in losses to Tampa Bay (51-27) and Denver (33-10). He is dealing with a hip issue.

Carr, 33, was expected to miss multiple weeks after the injury in the 26-13 loss to the host Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 7. He was replaced by second-year backup Jake Haener, but Rattler made his professional debut the following week.

Carr has passed for 989 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions this season, his second in New Orleans. He was a four-time Pro Bowl selection during nine seasons with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders.

–Field Level Media

Dec 30, 2022; Jacksonville, FL, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) throws the ball during the first half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the 2022 Gator Bowl at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports

South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler to return in 2023

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South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler announced Tuesday that he will return to the Gamecocks in 2023.

Rattler threw for 3,012 yards and 18 touchdowns against 12 interceptions this past season, rekindling the promise that he showed in one prior outstanding season at Oklahoma.

Rattler made his announcement in a video he posted to Twitter.

Rattler especially came alive in South Carolina’s final three games, throwing for 1,044 yards and 10 TDs against Tennessee, Clemson and Notre Dame. The Gamecocks won two of their last three to finish 8-5. They lost to Notre Dame 45-38 in the Gator Bowl.

Rattler threw for 3,031 yards and 28 TDs against seven INTs in 2020 for the Sooners but then fell off in 2021, eventually losing his starting job while throwing for 1,483 yards, 11 TDs and five INTs.

He transferred to South Carolina after the 2021 season.

–Field Level Media