Saints pick Rattler over Shough as QB1

New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler has been named the starter for the 2025 season, the team announced Tuesday.

Rattler, who started six games as a rookie last year, competed with first-year passer Tyler Shough for the job at training camp.

"Really, really excited for him," Saints first-year head coach Kellen Moore said. "He's done an awesome job this offseason. He's just been consistent, he's made some really good decisions throughout this whole entire process, and his ability to make plays with his arm and his feet has certainly shown up. ... He's earned this opportunity."

Rattler didn't provide much help while replacing an injured Derek Carr last season. The 2024 fifth-round pick completed 57% of his passes with 1,317 yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions across seven appearances. The Saints went 0-6 with the South Carolina product as QB1.

The 24-year-old started two games this preseason, while Shough made one start.

New Orleans drafted Shough 40th overall in April as it faced uncertainty with Carr, who battled a shoulder injury before announcing his retirement in May.

"We're really, really fortunate we got Tyler," Moore added. "Love the development that he's had over the course of this entire offseason."

Rattler and Shough are the only QBs on the Saints' initial 53-man roster for the regular season. New Orleans waived Jake Haener, a 2023 fourth-round pick, on Tuesday.

The Saints kick off their 2025 campaign against the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 7.