With the unexpected retirement of Derek Carr shrinking in the rear-view mirror, attention turns to who will be his replacement. The conversation has quickly centered on second-round pick Tyler Shough. The Saints picked the Louisville product because new head coach Kellen Moore likes his fit in his system. So naturally, that means he’s the guy, right?
Yes and no. There’s also Spencer Rattler, the backup who played in seven games for the Saints in 2024 and started six. Now, he and Shough will be learning Kellen Moore’s offense simultaneously, and, all things being equal, the job is up for grabs.
Is There a Quarterback Battle in New Orleans?
Rattler was drafted by the Saints in the fifth round in 20024. Due to Carr’s injuries, he was able to get some playing time far sooner than expected. He completed 130 of 228 passes with 1,317 passing yards, four touchdowns, five picks, and 146 rushing yards on 18 attempts.
“You can’t put too much pressure on yourself,” Rattler said, via the New Orleans Saints. “It’s Year Two. Great opportunity ahead of me. I’ve just got to keep working, keep my head down and give it what I’ve got.”
Rattler was once considered a top prospect at Oklahoma, but after the arrival of Caleb Williams, he went to the bench. He transferred to South Carolina, where he recorded solid numbers and wins over tough SEC teams ranked in the Top 10 (Tennessee and Clemson) in 2022.
He finished his career at South Carolina fifth in school history in passing yards (6,212) despite playing only two seasons there.
Shough is getting a lot of hype even though he had been in college for seven years with three schools and only one season where he was fully healthy. He saw limited action in his first two years at Oregon before going 4-3 with the Ducks in a COVID-shortened season.
He transferred to Texas Tech, where he suffered multiple injuries, including a broken collarbone and fibula. He played only 18 games across three seasons. He moved to Louisville, where he finally put in a full season, starting 12 games and throwing for 3,195 yards and 23 touchdowns.
The strength of his performance at Louisville boosted his stock in a draft that most analysts saw as a weak quarterback class. Only two quarterbacks were taken in the first round and 14 overall, with only five taken in the first three rounds.
Shough has brazenly compared himself to Josh Allen and Matt Stafford, but to prove that point, he’ll have to beat out Spencer for the job in New Orleans.
