The NFL regular season is fast approaching, but the New Orleans Saints have yet to make a firm decision on their starting quarterback, who will face the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1.
Saints coach Kellen Moore said on Saturday that the race between Arizona high school products, rookie Tyler Shough and second-year pro Spencer Rattler, has been “very, very close” and the starter will be named in “next few days.”
The competing QBs had similar runs in the lead up to the regular season, with Shough edging Rattler in passing reps (54 attempts to 43) but not being quite as efficient through the air with a 66.7% completion rate to Rattler’s 69.8%.
Shough got the majority of playing time in New Orleans’ first and third preseason games against the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos, whereas Rattler tossed more than half of his total passes (24 of 43) against the Jacksonville Jaguars’ defense. Each QB threw a touchdown and an interception, while Rattler had a bit more explosiveness with 6.9 yards per pass to Shough’s 6.2.
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On the ground, Rattler rushed seven times across three games for 41 yards and Shough traveled 23 yards on three carries.
“I think it’s important that we collaborate and talk through this thing,” Moore told reporters. “Everyone’s got their different exposure and so that would be really, really important. Ultimately, I know I have to make a decision and it’s a challenging one because these guys have put everything into this.”
Moore complimented Rattler’s ability to run through his passing progressions and praised Shough for his foot work.
Saints not looking outside for QB
The Saints on Monday morning, just over 24 hours before initial 53-man rosters have to be made, released a plethora of players including running back Cam Akers, but Moore said he “feels great” about his QB room and doesn’t plan on signing a external veteran.
Shough, an alumnus of Chandler’s Hamilton High School, said he will disappointed if he isn’t named the starter and feels “fully capable” to be in that position.
Rattler, a product of Phoenix’s Pinnacle High School, has NFL experience over Shough after seven starts in New Orleans’ 5-12 campaign in 2024. He is 0-7 as a starter and threw four touchdowns and five interceptions while rushing 18 times for 146 yards (8.1 per carry) and no touchdowns.
Regardless of who the Saints put out on the field at Caesars Superdome on Sept. 7, the Cardinals will be favored. Arizona currently is a 5.5-point favorite according to ESPN Bet.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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