Spencer Rattler is currently leading the quarterback competition in New Orleans, according to reporting from The Athletic’s NFL newsletter. The New Orleans team is entering the 2025 season with low expectations, holding the league’s lowest odds for making the playoffs and projected wins, as detailed by The Athletic’s model.
Daniel Jones has been named starter for the Colts and Joe Flacco for the Browns, leaving New Orleans as the only team without a set starting quarterback ahead of their Week 1 game against the Cardinals. ESPN’s Katherine Terrell reported earlier this week that competition continues between Spencer Rattler, age 24, and rookie Tyler Shough, who is 25 years old. Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore commented on how close the competition remains: “It’s really, really close — numbers, experiences, reps, everything — it’s going all the way back to the start of training camp. Everything is very, very close between this group. We’ll see how it all plays out,” said Moore.
Both quarterbacks have played two preseason games so far with nearly identical opportunities—each having 10 drives and similar results in scoring drives and statistics. In their most recent preseason performance, Shough struggled outside of one long drive while Rattler led a late game-tying touchdown drive and reportedly took practice snaps with the first-team unit.
If Rattler starts in the Saints’ final preseason game and continues to outperform Shough, he is expected to be named starter for Week 1. Moore plans to announce his decision next week.
The article also reviewed notable rookie performances at each offensive position since the Super Bowl era. For offensive tackle positions, Joe Thomas was highlighted for his standout debut season in Cleveland in 2007: Thomas helped Cleveland improve from four wins to ten wins in his rookie year while earning a Pro Bowl nod and finishing second behind Adrian Peterson for Offensive Rookie of the Year voting.
Other competitions noted include Jaydon Blue returning from injury for Dallas’ running backs group; Pittsburgh Steelers evaluating options at receiver including Gabe Davis; and ongoing contract disputes such as that involving receiver Terry McLaurin and pass rusher Micah Parsons with Dallas owner Jerry Jones. “Jones continues to believe that he and Parsons reached a deal in the spring. Parsons and his camp do not remotely agree. And the parties won’t be able to negotiate a contract extension — or discuss a potential trade — if they aren’t even willing to talk (…) Somebody will have to give, and it will almost certainly have to start with Jones agreeing to engage. In past negotiations, I always believed that Jerry would put aside his ego, open his wallet and make a deal (…) This time? He would have to make at least one major concession by reopening talks, and execs around the league aren’t convinced he will be willing to do that,” said Dianna Russini.
The Saints recently acquired wide receiver Devaughn Vele from Denver via trade while San Francisco swapped draft picks with Kansas City for Skyy Moore as a depth option at receiver.
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