Kellen Moore and the New Orleans Saints are seemingly conducting a three-way open tryout among their quarterbacks to see who is worthy of earning a starting role. 2023 fourth-rounder Jake Haener and 2024 fifth-rounder Spence Rattler are the incumbents being challenged by 2025 second-round selection Tyler Shough.
The Saints wouldn’t have picked Shough, who turns 26 during his rookie season, with such a high pick if they didn’t expect to see him on the field soon. However, his performance at training camp may not be enough to earn him a starting gig right out of the blocks.
Rattler appears to have overtaken Haener on the depth chart based on last season, and he has reaffirmed that decision with a strong start to camp under Moore’s new scheme.
Per Ross Jackson, Rattler has been so impressive in camp that it would be “hard to deny him the starting job out of the gate” if he can become just a bit more consistent. Shough may start the season on the bench, making him an almost 26-year-old rookie who will begin life in the NFL as a backup on a bad team.
Saints QB Spencer Rattler could start over Tyler Shough
Rattler lost all six of his starts last season throwing for four touchdowns and five interceptions. While he was picked in the fifth round, many pre-draft grades on the former top recruit and South Carolina product had him being picked muliple rounds before the Saints took him.
Rattler has a live arm and some solid mobility, which could be positive traits in a Moore offense that has often produced gaudy passing numbers. However, while Rattler taking the QB1 job would be an immense win for him, fans have every right to be concerned about Shough if he doesn’t play a lot in 2025.
Shough is not Brandon Weeden old, but you don’t draft someone his age with the thought he is going to waste away on the bench. Shough, who came into college football in the same recruiting class as fifth-year players Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields, will be pushing 30 by the time he could earn his big second contract.
In a year where the Saints are likely not going to win very many games, it would be a massive disservice to not see what Shough can do throughout most of the season. Rattler may be getting the short end of the stick in that regard, but Shough’s status as a top pick merits him getting a leg up.
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