New Orleans Saints Still Undecided at Quarterback Ahead of Week 1

The New Orleans Saints are facing one of those quarterback battles that makes even the most optimistic fans wonder if they’re watching a competition or a coin flip. With Spencer Rattler getting the nod to start the preseason finale against Denver, New Orleans’ QB situation has all the drama of a reality TV show, except the stakes are real, and nobody’s getting voted off the island.

Head coach Kellen Moore’s decision to give Rattler first-team reps isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement, more like a “let’s see what you’ve got, kid” moment that could define both quarterbacks’ immediate futures. The fact that this battle has stretched into the final preseason game tells you everything about where the Saints find themselves: somewhere between hopeful and desperate.

Saints QB Battle: The Numbers Don’t Lie (But They Don’t Tell Everything)

Looking at the preseason stats, you’d think someone was playing a cruel joke on New Orleans fans. Against the Chargers, Tyler Shough looked like the more polished product, completing 15 of 22 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, Rattler managed a modest 7-of-11 for 53 yards, numbers that would make a college backup blush.

But here’s where it gets interesting. Against Jacksonville, the script flipped harder than a politician’s campaign promise. Rattler stepped up with an 18-of-24 performance for 199 yards, capped off by that game-tying touchdown to Dante Pettis with 30 seconds left. The kid even ran in the two-point conversion himself, because apparently he wanted to make sure nobody missed the point.

Shough’s Jacksonville outing? A pedestrian 9-of-12 for 66 yards that screamed “game manager” louder than a Saints fan complaining about missed calls.

What Makes Spencer Rattler the Saints QB to Watch

Rattler’s comeback against the Jaguars wasn’t just impressive; it was downright cinematic. Facing a 17-3 deficit, most signal callers would’ve started thinking about their post-game meal. Instead, Rattler orchestrated two field goal drives in the third quarter before delivering that clutch touchdown pass that had Saints fans remembering why they fell in love with football in the first place.

The South Carolina product showed something that can’t be taught in practice: composure under pressure. When the game was on the line, Rattler didn’t just manage the moment; he owned it. That two-point conversion run wasn’t just gutsy; it was the kind of play that separates pretenders from potential franchise quarterbacks.

Sure, his 2024 season was rougher than a New Orleans pothole, 0-6 as a starter with more interceptions than touchdowns. But sometimes, rock bottom is the foundation you build a comeback story on.

Tyler Shough: The Saints QB Draft Investment

New Orleans didn’t spend a second-round pick on Shough just to watch him hold clipboards. At 26, he’s got the kind of NFL-ready maturity that makes coaches sleep better at night. His performance against the Chargers showed flashes of what the front office saw in him: steady decision-making and the ability to move the offense without turning the ball over.

But here’s the rub: being safe doesn’t win you starting jobs in the NFL. Shough’s biggest challenge isn’t his arm talent or his football IQ; it’s proving he can be more than just competent when the lights get bright and the pressure mounts.

His Jacksonville performance felt like watching someone drive the speed limit in the fast lane. Technically correct, but not exactly inspiring confidence that he can lead comeback drives when New Orleans inevitably finds itself trailing by two touchdowns in December.

Kellen Moore’s Saints QB Dilemma

Coach Moore’s comments about the competition being “really, really close” sound like diplomatic speak for “I have no idea what I’m doing here.” When your head coach is breaking down a quarterback battle like a photo finish at the Kentucky Derby, you know you’re dealing with a situation that could go either way.

The decision to start Rattler in the finale feels less like a vote of confidence and more like a final exam. It’s Moore essentially saying, “Show me something, anything, that makes this decision easier.”

What makes this particularly interesting is the timing. With final roster cuts looming, the Saints can’t afford to get this wrong. They need a Saints QB who can not only manage games but win them when the defense isn’t carrying the load.

Why Saturday’s Game Matters for the Saints QB Race

This isn’t just another preseason game; it’s a job interview with 70,000 witnesses. Rattler gets the first crack at proving he’s more than just a feel-good comeback story, while Shough gets to show he can handle the pressure of knowing his opportunity is coming with the game potentially already decided.

The Saints’ offensive line will give both quarterbacks a realistic taste of what regular-season life looks like. If Rattler can build on his Jacksonville performance and show consistent decision-making, he might just lock up the job. If he reverts to his 2024 form, Shough will be waiting in the wings like an understudy, hoping the lead actor gets stage fright.

The cruel irony? Both quarterbacks know that even a great performance Saturday might not guarantee anything. NFL roster decisions have a way of making logical sense look like ancient mythology.

The Bottom Line on New Orleans’ Saints QB Situation

New Orleans finds itself in the unenviable position of choosing between potential and experience, neither of which comes with guarantees. Rattler has the higher ceiling but also the lower floor. Shough offers stability but might lack the dynamic playmaking ability needed in crucial moments.

Moore’s decision to let this battle extend into the final preseason game suggests the coaching staff is hoping one signal caller will grab the job and run with it. That’s either smart evaluation or indecision masquerading as a thorough process.

What New Orleans fans can take comfort in is that both quarterbacks have shown flashes of competence. In a league where quarterback play ranges from elite to “please make it stop,” having two viable options isn’t the worst problem to have.

Saturday’s game against Denver will either provide clarity or add another layer of complexity to a decision that’s already giving Saints fans premature gray hair. Either way, it beats watching the same tired veteran retreads most teams trot out when their starter gets hurt.