NFL teams are beginning to ramp up their offseason workouts with OTAs and mandatory minicamp on the horizon. The New Orleans Saints’ starting quarterback job might be the most wide-open job in the NFL. After Derek Carr’s retirement, there is no real NFL experience at the QB position in New Orleans.
The Saints looked bad for most of the 2024 season and will be looking to bounce back in 2025. Luckily, one surprise quarterback is showing out at OTAs.
Surprise QB Shows Out at OTAs
The Saints decided to draft QB Tyler Shough with pick No. 40 in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Shough should have the inside track to be the starter now that Carr has returned, but Spencer Rattler has made some noise at OTAs. According to Ross Jackson, a Saints beat writer, Rattler looked like the strongest QB at OTAs on Thursday.
“Looked quick and decisive as he has been all OTAs. Showed a lot of patience and movement ability during 7-on-7s in the red zone,” said Jackson on Rattler’s performance at OTAs.
Spencer Rattler was the strongest QB performer today, in my opinion. Finished 6/8 for three or four TDs depending on the ball’s spot.
Looked quick and decisive as he has been all OTAs. Showed a lot of patience and movement ability during 7-on-7s in the red zone.
— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) June 5, 2025
Rattler completed six of his eight passes and lit up the Saints’ defense for a few touchdowns. Rattler is looking to retain his starting job from last season when Carr was unavailable, and his performance at OTAs is certainly helping his case. If he continues to play like this, new head coach Kellen Moore is going to have a tough decision on his hands.
Jake Haener will likely be the third-string, leaving the competition between Rattler and Shough for the starting job. Haener was behind Rattler for most of last season, and it looks like Rattler’s performance is burying his chances at the starting job.
Rattler started seven games for the Saints, and it wasn’t pretty, as Rattler went 0-7. Rattler only completed 57% of his passes and threw for 4 touchdowns and 5 interceptions while taking 22 sacks. The Saints’ offense didn’t see major changes this offseason, so it looks to be gearing up to be another rough year in New Orleans unless Rattler makes a big jump or Shough proves himself.
The New Orleans offense finished 22nd in PFSN’s Offense+ metric with a grade of 68.3, or a D+. The Saints’ offense looked tremendous for the first two weeks before beginning its free fall toward the bottom of the league. The rushing attack helped keep the Saints at 22nd, as it was one of the better rushing attacks in the NFL, with star Alvin Kamara as the primary ball carrier.
But the most worrisome part of the Saints’ offense was that they were the second-worst passing unit in the league. A lot of that comes with the quarterback play. Rattler has impressed this offseason and could be turning a corner, which would be vital to the Saints seeing a jump in their win total. Only time will tell if Rattler’s great showing so far will land him the starting job come Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals.