by Devon Chase
The Saints are the only NFL team that hasn’t named a Week 1 starter. Head coach Kellen Moore says the decision comes next week. The battle between Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough is real, and it’s tight.
Why does that matter? It signals one of two things. Either the staff doesn’t fully believe in Rattler. Or they think Shough can step in as a rookie and go. That’s rare. Most rookies struggle with NFL sophisticated defenses.
What the preseason says
Rattler has been cleaner in the games. He ran the two-minute offense, finished drives, and avoided the big mistake—mostly. Shough flashed tools, mobility, and some second-reaction juice. He also put the ball in harm’s way and had a late fumble.
Preseason (through Week 3)
| QB | Comp | Att | Comp% | Yds | TD | INT | Rush (yds/TD) | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spencer Rattler | 30 | 43 | 69.8% | 295 | 1 | 1 | 7–41 / 0 | 86.9 |
| Tyler Shough | 36 | 54 | 66.7% | 333 | 1 | 1 | 2–20 / 1 | 81.8 |
Sources: NFL.com game logs, Saints team site, ESPN player pages; rating = NFL passer rating calculated from listed totals. (NFL.com, New Orleans Saints, ESPN.com)
Game notes:
- Rattler vs JAX: 18-of-24, 199-1-1, late game-tying drive.
- Shough debut: 15-of-22, 165-1-1.
- Shough vs DEN: 12-of-20, 102, rush TD, lost fumble.
How often do rookies hit?
Rookie success exists, but it’s the exception. Let’s look at every successful NFL rookie QB over the last decade. We define success as wining in the regular season and going to the playoffs.
- Dak Prescott (2016): 13-3, top-tier QBR, playoffs.
- Lamar Jackson (2018): Took BAL to the playoffs after a midseason switch.
- Mac Jones (2021): 10-7, playoffs as a rookie.
- Brock Purdy (2022): Late-season rookie run, deep playoffs.
- C.J. Stroud (2023): Won a playoff game as a rookie.
- Jayden Daniels (2024): Rookie playoff win; Washington surged.
That’s a short list across 10 years. Most rookies don’t post winning records and make the playoffs.
The stakes in New Orleans
This decision shapes the next two drafts.
- If the Saints start Shough and he wins, you’ve found your future.
- If he starts and struggles, and the team loses, a high 2026 pick puts you back in the QB market.
- But if you start Rattler, you might steady the ship now. But you also need reps to truly grade Shough.
- If you sit Shough and lose anyway, you still don’t know what you have.
That’s the tightrope.
What the staff has shown
Moore praised Rattler’s decision-making after the Broncos game. He also invested a second-round pick in Shough this spring. The team has publicly kept the competition open. Translation: they’re torn, and they want the locker room to see it resolved on the field.
Related: Saints Owner Entangled in Scandal
My read — who should start?
Start Spencer Rattler in Week 1. Keep Shough on a scripted package and a fast trigger.
Why Rattler:
- Higher preseason efficiency (rating edge; fewer negative plays).
- Better operation in two-minute and end-of-game sequences. (Canal Street Chronicles)
- Safer baseline while the OL gels and the staff trims the call sheet.
How to use Shough now:
- Weekly 10–12 play package (RPO/keeper/shot plays).
- Short-yardage + red zone to leverage his 6’5” frame and mobility.
- If the offense stalls for six quarters, pivot. Make the switch cleanly and ride it.
This is not “pick a franchise QB forever.” It’s Phase 1 of a two-quarterback evaluation. Rattler earned first crack. Shough gets the runway right behind him. And the building learns fast which one can handle bullet-speed NFL processing when the scheme breaks.
If Moore names a starter this week—as reported—Rattler should take the first snap. But the plan should be Rattler with an early hook and Shough with meaningful reps, not mop-up. That balance protects the 2025 season and the 2026 draft board.
Devon Chase has covered the NFL for over 30 years, chronicling the game’s greatest players and most pivotal moments. From quarterback controversies to Super Bowl triumphs, Chase delivers perspective shaped by decades on the beat.