Tyler Shough spent the week waiting for news, and now he’s got it: the rookie is set for his first NFL preseason start Sunday when the New Orleans Saints take on the Jacksonville Jaguars. The quarterback competition in New Orleans has everyone watching, and Shough will get his shot to kick off the game under center while the race with Spencer Rattler heats up.
How Will Tyler Shough’s Start Shape the Saints Quarterback Race?
The quarterback depth chart for the Saints has been a moving target ever since Derek Carr retired earlier this year. Since then, Shough and fellow rookie Spencer Rattler have been splitting first-team reps in training camp and preseason as head coach Kellen Moore puts both passers through their paces.
Rattler got the nod in the first preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers, where he completed seven of 11 passes for 53 yards. Shough took over late in the first half and saw most of his action in the second, ending up with 15 completions on 22 attempts for 165 yards, one touchdown, and one interception that went back for a score in the 27-13 loss.
This weekend, Shough earns the Week 2 start, a move that keeps the playing field even before the team makes any final decision.
Tyler Shough will start Sunday’s #Saints game vs the Jaguars, Kellen Moore announced pic.twitter.com/XYdNVhVPj9
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 16, 2025
Moore has made it clear there’s no rush on picking a long-term starter. “Obviously before Week 1. … As soon as we get to that point, we’ll pull it off, whatever day it is,” he said after Thursday’s joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams. “But we want to give these guys as many opportunities as they can because they’re younger guys. They need experience, they need exposure. There are some things they are doing for the first time and the second time”.
With that, it’s obvious the quarterback competition will keep rolling through the rest of the preseason. Both rookies should see plenty of snaps as the staff weighs their decisions.
Why Does the Saints’ Quarterback Competition Matter in the 2025 Campaign?
New Orleans is heading into the 2025 season in transition, putting a lot of trust in rookies after Carr’s departure and injury issues for key veterans. The team needs someone to step up as a steady leader under center, especially with the offense still looking for stability.
Shough came into the league viewed by evaluators as one of the more “game-ready” prospects, even though his selection surprised some on draft day. That experience has put him in a good spot to grab early reps.
Meanwhile, Rattler, a fifth-round pick, is seen as a developmental quarterback with upside if he can cut down on mistakes. He’s shown flashes during camp and preseason but has also had struggles with consistency, which is why the Saints are giving him another extended look during exhibition games.
The Saints’ offense didn’t get much going in the opener, showing just how much their season depends on finding stable play at quarterback. Chris Olave is just getting back from an ankle issue, and with the offensive line searching for consistency, New Orleans is counting on someone to lock down the job under center before Week 1.
Sunday’s matchup against Jacksonville will be the team’s first home preseason game of the summer, coming after a 10-day training camp in Irvine, California. For Shough, starting in front of the home crowd is a big audition, and maybe his best chance yet to take control of the position.
The Saints have more preseason games after facing the Jaguars, giving Shough and Rattler more chances to prove themselves before Moore and his staff make the call. Right now, Shough is starting, and what he does Sunday could be the deciding factor in whether he opens Week 1 as the Saints’ quarterback.
