Saints make Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler call for Rams game

First-year New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore benched struggling quarterback Spencer Rattler to play rookie Tyler Shough during what became a 23-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that dropped the Saints to 1-7 this past Sunday. 

As had been expected, Moore won't go back to Rattler for the Saints' game at the Los Angeles Rams (5-2) this coming Sunday. 

Tyler Shough will make first regular-season start vs. Rams

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Tuesday that Shough will make his first career start at the Rams on Nov. 2. Shough wasn't all that impressive against the Buccaneers, as he completed 17-of-30 pass attempts for 128 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. Nevertheless, it's clear Moore wants to see what the 2025 second-round draft pick can do when he has time to prepare as the team's starter for multiple days. 

Many assumed in the summer that Shough would win the competition for the New Orleans QB1 job, as Moore wasn't with the Saints when they made Rattler a 2024 fifth-round choice. Rattler ultimately outperformed Shough throughout August, but the Saints have since lost seven of eight games. 

What the numbers show about Spencer Rattler

According to Pro Football Reference, Rattler heads to the bench ranked 20th in the NFL among qualified players with a 50.8 adjusted QBR, 23rd with an 86.8 passer rating and 26th with an average of 198.3 passing yards per game on the season. Over the campaign's first eight weeks, he tossed eight touchdown passes and five interceptions. 

Since his rookie season, Rattler has accumulated a woeful 1-13 record as a starter. His only victory came when the New York Giants were responsible for six turnovers (one on downs) in New Orleans' 26-14 home win back on Oct. 5. 

Shortly after the Shough news went public, ESPN BET had the Saints as massive 13.5-point underdogs against the Rams for the matchup at SoFi Stadium. Such a line suggests insiders believe Shough could be in for a rough afternoon while facing a Rams team coming off its bye. Los Angeles notched back-to-back wins before its Week 8 break.