Saints' free-agency addition gives team potential trade opportunity

Despite an eyesore 1-7 record, Rattler passed the eye test early in the season before two turnover-filled games against the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers led head coach Kellen Moore to make the midseason switch. But overall, Rattler raised his profile in 2025, which could make him intriguing to teams in the quarterback market as a buy-low starting candidate. He has two years left on his rookie contract and holds a $1.075M base salary in 2026 and $1.19M the following season.

That also means the Saints don't need to rush a Rattler trade. Anything less than a fifth-rounder should be a non-starter, and he might be worth more. Would a team like the Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets or Pittsburgh Steelers, whichever ones miss out on Alabama's Ty Simpson, part with an early Day 3 pick to find out if they can develop Rattler further?

New York has two fourth-round picks (Nos. 103, 140), while Arizona has No. 104, as well as the third pick of Round 5 (No. 143 overall). Pittsburgh has a league-high 12 picks, including a late third (No. 99), two fourths (Nos. 121, 135) and a fifth (No. 161). New Orleans could also wait until after the draft to deal Rattler, with future compensation attached to his 2026 playing time.

He'd be valuable in New Orleans as Shough's backup, and his body of work overall is more impressive than Wilson's. But the former top quarterback prospect has spent the past two years studying under elite offensive minds Sean Payton (Denver Broncos) and Mike McDaniel (Miami Dolphins), and if the past few seasons have taught us anything, it's that we're far too quick to write off quarterbacks after rough career starts.

If the Saints had their way, Shough would start every game this season, and the QB2 debate would be meaningless. But it's an insurance policy they can't ignore, and Wilson's signing opens the role up for inspection.

With many more QB-needy teams than viable draft prospects, Rattler could be worth more somewhere other than New Orleans. If so, his days with the Saints could be numbered.