The quarterback competition between Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough to become the New Orleans Saints starter has ended.
Saints Name Starting QB
"Spencer Rattler is our starting quarterback."
– Kellen Moore talks about the #Sants QB battle pic.twitter.com/hvad2pIwrb
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 26, 2025
In one of his biggest decisions as the new head coach of the Saints, Kellen Moore is going with the second-year pro over the rookie.
Moore named Rattler the starting quarterback for the Saints’ Week 1 opener on Sept. 7, against the Arizona Cardinals.
“Spencer Rattler’s our starting quarterback. Really, really excited for him. He’s done an awesome job this offseason,” Moore said via the Saints’ X account. “He’s just been consistent. He’s made some really good decisions throughout this whole entire process, and his ability to make plays with his arm and his feet have certainly showed up. I’m really, really excited about Spencer. He’s earned this opportunity. He’s going to do a tremendous job for us.”
The Saints took Rattler in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
After the injury to Derek Carr, Rattler started six games for the Saints. Rattler completed 130 of 228 passes for 1,317 yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions. Rattler lost every game he started. However, his top two targets, receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, both missed time during that stretch.
Rattler showed promise this preseason, completing 30 of 43 for 295 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Rattler gets an opportunity to prove he can be the Saints’ quarterback of the future after Carr’s sudden retirement this offseason.
Tyler Shough Will Be The Backup Quarterback
Spencer Rattler has been named the #Saints starting QB, Kellen Moore announced pic.twitter.com/AECr38PC2v
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 26, 2025
After Carr retired, the Saints held a quarterback competition between Rattler, Shough, and Jake Haener.
After the Saints released Haener on Tuesday, Shough became the official backup to Rattler.
The Saints drafted Shough with the No. 40 pick in April’s draft. He’s the highest-drafted quarterback for the Saints since taking Archie Manning at No. 2 in 1971.
Shough is no ordinary rookie. The 25-year-old rookie played seven seasons of college football. While playing for Louisville in 2024, Shough threw for 3,195 yards, 23 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
Shough showed some promise during the preseason, finishing 36 of 54 for 333 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Shough also rushed for one touchdown.
The Saints are projected to be one of the worst teams in the NFL. In all likelihood, Shough will start multiple games for the Saints in 2025 if the team struggles.
