The New Orleans Saints are making a change at quarterback, as Tyler Shough is in line to start in Week 9 against the Los Angeles Rams.
Saints Make Quarterback Change
Sources: The future is now in New Orleans, with the #Saints making rookie QB Tyler Shough their starter.
Spencer Rattler now heads to the bench, while the second-rounder moves to the forefront in a decision coach Kellen Moore informed them of today. pic.twitter.com/yO2MJ86vJ6
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 28, 2025
Kellen Moore wants to see what his rookie quarterback can do.
Per the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Shough will start at quarterback going forward. The previous starter, Spencer Rattler, now heads to the bench.
Rattler started all eight games this year for the Saints. Rattler has completed 174 of 256 for 1,586 yards, eight touchdowns, and five interceptions. The Saints are 1-7, with Rattler’s only win as a starting quarterback coming in Week 5 against the New York Giants.
Rattler started last Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Rattler finished 15 of 21 for 136 yards and one interception. Late in the third quarter, with the Saints down 17-3, Moore benched Rattler and played Shough the rest of the way.
The 2025 second-round pick completed 17 of 30 passes for 128 yards and one interception.
With Rattler under center, the Saints’ offense struggled to put points on the board as the fourth-lowest scoring team (16.0 points per game) in the NFL. The Saints have scored less than 22 points in all but one game this year.
Saints Turn to the Future
Just buzzed the Tyler Shough clips, and was pleasantly surprised. The box score was nothing to write home about, but he displayed nice zip and anticipation in his Saints debut. pic.twitter.com/jVSNAqXTpy
— Ethan Young (@EthanYoungFB) October 27, 2025
The future is now for the Saints.
New Orleans, 1-7, will likely be sitting at home when the playoffs begin. With little hope for the playoffs, Moore wants to see what Shough can do the rest of the season.
The Saints drafted Shough in the second round of April’s draft. Shough, 26, is on the older side for a rookie due to his six years playing college football.
Shough saved his best collegiate year for his last. Shough threw for 3,195 yards, 23 touchdowns, and six interceptions with a 62.7 with the Louisville Cardinals in 2024.
Shough’s start against the Rams will be his first start overall since he last played at Louisville on Nov. 30, 2024.
Playing for the future does not just mean starting Shough. The NFL trade deadline is set for Nov. 4, and the Saints will likely be sellers.
What players get shipped out to new teams is unknown. The most mentioned names have been Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and Alvin Kamara. New Orleans is working on signing Olave to a long-term extension, while Kamara has stated his intentions to stay with the Saints.
Shaheed is the one name out of those three that will likely get death before next week.
The Saints travel to SoFi Stadium to play the Rams (5-2) in Week 9.
