New Orleans Saints Finally Name Starting Quarterback

The New Orleans Saints have finally put an end to what felt like the longest quarterback competition since Brett Favre’s retirement saga. Head Coach Kellen Moore pulled back the curtain on Tuesday and revealed that Spencer Rattler will be taking snaps under center when the team faces Arizona on September 7. How will he fare at the helm?

Why the Saints Chose Experience Over Draft Status

You’ve got to hand it to Rattler. The kid’s got more comebacks than a vintage Jordan shoe collection. After a rookie season that had fans reaching for the paper bags faster than you could say “Derek Carr retirement,” the second-year quarterback somehow convinced Moore he is the right man for the job.

“Spencer Rattler’s our starting quarterback. Really, really excited for him,” Moore said. “He’s just been consistent. He’s made some really good decisions throughout this whole entire process.”

The Tyler Shough Surprise: When Draft Capital Doesn’t Matter

Here’s where things get interesting, folks. Tyler Shough, the Saints’ shiny new toy from the 2025 draft (40th overall pick), will be riding the pine to start the season. For a franchise that hasn’t selected a quarterback this high since Archie Manning back when bell-bottoms were fashionable, this decision raises more eyebrows than a suspicious referee call.

Shough, who turns 26 in September, actually has a year on Rattler in terms of age. The guy took the scenic route through college football. Three years at Oregon, three more at Texas Tech, and finally finding his groove at Louisville.

Moore clearly saw something in Rattler that made him the safer bet. Maybe it was that miraculous comeback against Jacksonville in the preseason, where Rattler orchestrated an 87-yard drive in the final two minutes to snatch a tie from what looked like certain defeat. Or maybe Moore just figured, “Hey, at least this guy knows where the cafeteria is.”

What This Means

Saints faithful have every right to feel a mix of optimism and terror right about now. On one hand, Rattler showed flashes of competence during his rookie campaign, throwing for 1,317 yards despite playing behind an offensive line that had more holes than a block of Swiss cheese.

On the other hand, those four touchdowns against five interceptions tell a story that is harder to spin than a politician’s campaign promise. Add in that soul-crushing 34-0 shutout loss to Green Bay in Week 17, and you’ve got a resume that screams “proceed with caution.”

But here’s the thing about football. Sometimes the best stories come from the most unlikely places. Rattler earned this opportunity the hard way, battling through a disastrous rookie season and coming back stronger. That is the kind of character you can’t teach in quarterback school.

The Road Ahead For New Orleans

Moore made it crystal clear that this isn’t a week-to-week decision. “That’s the important thing, guys. We’re not getting into this QB debate throughout the season,” he said. “Spencer’s our starting quarterback. Tyler’s gonna keep developing.”

The Saints are banking on consistency and decision-making. Two qualities that were as rare as a quiet day in the French Quarter during Rattler’s rookie season. But training camp reports suggest he’s put in the work, and preseason performances showed improvement in reading defenses and making smart throws.

For a franchise coming off a 12-loss season, their worst since Hurricane Katrina displaced the team, any sign of competent quarterback play would be as welcome as a cool breeze in August humidity.

The pressure’s on now. Rattler’s got his shot to prove that last year’s struggles were growing pains rather than a glimpse into his ceiling. Fans better buckle up. It is going to be one heck of a ride.