Four quarterbacks. One starting job. Zero guarantees. The New Orleans Saints’ quarterback competition has turned into the most intriguing storyline of their preseason, with Spencer Rattler getting the first chance to prove he deserves to lead this franchise into the 2025 season.
Why Is Spencer Rattler Starting the Saints’ Preseason Opener?
Saints head coach Kellen Moore ended the speculation on Saturday by naming Rattler as the starting quarterback for Sunday’s preseason opener against the Los Angeles Chargers. However, the competition remains wide open, with Tyler Shough and Jake Haener both getting significant opportunities to showcase their skills.
“We’ll start Spencer in the game, and then from there we’ll go Tyler, and then Jake,” Moore said.
While Moore clarified that the competition for the starting spot wasn’t over yet, he suggested Rattler had separated himself during offseason practices. The decision reflects Rattler’s consistent performance throughout training camp rather than any definitive conclusion about the depth chart.
“He’s earned his way as he’s gone through this…It will be a great evaluation piece for us. By no means is it any bigger than the collection of all these practices that have occurred,” Moore said.
Spencer Rattler is the best of the Saints options in 2025/26.
But that’s not saying much.
— Polymarket Football (@PolymarketBlitz) August 5, 2025
Rattler, selected in the fifth round in 2024 and who started six games for New Orleans last season, expressed his excitement about the opportunity to lead the team onto the field.
“Super excited, awesome opportunity. Excited to get out there with the guys,” Rattler said. “Excited to get to start the game.”
How Does the Saints’ Quarterback Depth Chart Look?
The Saints released their first unofficial depth chart last week, listing Rattler, Shough, and Haener as co-starters at quarterback. This unusual designation reveals that Rattler hasn’t definitively established himself as the clear starter, despite getting the first preseason opportunity.
Meanwhile, Hunter Dekkers, an undrafted free agent signing, sits as the fourth quarterback on the depth chart and will likely spend the 2025 season on the practice squad.
The Saints entered the 2025 offseason with Derek Carr as their starting quarterback, but his surprise retirement changed everything in New Orleans. The team already had Rattler and Haener, a fourth-round pick from the 2023 draft, on the roster when they selected Shough 40th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Alongside Rattler, Shough represents the most serious threat to the Saints’ starting position. The rookie brings a polished, cerebral approach to the quarterback position, though he’s older than most first-year players entering the league.
Multiple injuries marked Shough’s journey through Oregon, Texas Tech, and finally Louisville, yet he delivered his best collegiate season in 2024 with over 3,100 passing yards and 23 touchdowns. However, Shough has been outperformed by Rattler during offseason practices, which explains why the sophomore earned the first preseason start.
Rattler’s track record presents its own concerns. He went 0-6 as a starter for the Saints in 2024, compiling 1,317 passing yards with four touchdowns and five interceptions across seven appearances. If he produces similar numbers during the preseason, Shough could claim the Week 1 starting role when the regular season begins.
