Why Saints should start rookie QB Spencer Rattler if Derek Carr is sidelined

Garofolo wrote that Rattler "is a strong candidate to get the start in Derek Carr's absence."

Rattler, New Orleans' fifth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, battled with 2023 fourth-round pick Jake Haener for the backup role during training camp and the preseason.

Haener has appeared in mop-up duty twice during the regular season, going 2-of-8 for 17 yards. But Rattler has more upside and matched Haener's production during the preseason, although neither set the world on fire.

In three games, the former five-star high school recruit was 20-of-38 for 202 yards and one touchdown while Haener was 24-of-43 for 270 yards.

Per Pro Football Focus, Rattler had a quicker release with an average time to throw of 2.76 seconds compared to Haener's 3.16 seconds. Rattler was also more careful with the football; PFF credited him with one turnover-worthy play while Haener had three such plays.

Rattler might also fit better in offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak's scheme. While the team has shifted away from play-action calls during its current three-game losing skid, Rattler might be able to take advantage of those plays better than Haener.

According to PFF, in 2023 at South Carolina, Rattler was 85-of-107 (79.4 percent) for 1,081 yards (10.1 yards per attempt), seven touchdowns and two interceptions on play-action passes.

Meanwhile, during Haener's final collegiate season at Fresno State in 2022, he was 68-of-96 (70.8 percent) for 724 yards (7.5 yards per attempt) and four touchdowns when throwing out of play-action.

New Orleans may have already signaled what it thinks of Haener by adding Rattler in the draft. If the Saints were confident in Haener as Carr's No. 2, they may have been less inclined to select Rattler.

As Garofolo noted, if Rattler is named the starter in Week 6 against the Bucs, he'd be the fifth rookie quarterback to start in 2024 and the second (Drake Maye) to debut on Sunday.

Unlike Maye, who will start for the Patriots in place of Jacoby Brissett, New Orleans has solid skill-position players who could make Rattler's job easier.

With running back Alvin Kamara and wide receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, the Saints would see how Rattler looks with a strong supporting cast and if he could be their future quarterback.

For a season that may be getting derailed, that would be a silver lining.