Saints name Spencer Rattler their Week 1 starting quarterback

Head coach Kellen Moore announced Tuesday that second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler beat out rookie Tyler Shough for the starting job. The Saints were the last NFL team to name a starting quarterback.

Rattler impressed in the preseason, completing 30 of 43 passes for 295 yards with one touchdown and one interception across three games. He was also a threat in the running game, rushing for 41 yards on seven carries and adding a two-point conversion.

Rattler completed 57% of his passes for 1,317 yards with four touchdowns and five interceptions while also rushing for 146 yards on 18 carries.

Shough, 25, completed 36 of 54 passes for 333 yards with one touchdown and one interception in three preseason games. He also ran for a touchdown on three carries for 23 yards.

Shough dealt with numerous injuries throughout his career, playing more than eight games in a season only once - last year at Louisville.

The Saints went 5-12 last season, and Moore hopes Rattler can lead them back to the playoffs for the first time since 2021.