Saints' Spencer Rattler: Ceding starting role to Shough
Rotowire
Saints head coach Kellen Moore informed Rattler that he will move into the No. 2 role at quarterback with Tyler Shough set to take over as the team's starting quarterback beginning with Sunday's game against the Rams, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
After a 1-7 start to the season, the Saints are opting for a change under center. Despite a lackluster supporting cast, Rattler was reasonably efficient as a passer over his eight starts (68 percent completion rate, 6.2 yards per attempt), but he had been mistake-prone over his last two outings. In just over six and a half quarters of football in losses to the Bears and Buccaneers, the second-year QB took seven sacks, threw four interceptions and lost two fumbles. Unlike the undersized Rattler, Shough (6-foot-5, 219 pounds) offers an ideal frame as a pocket passer and solid arm strength to match it, but his lack of mobility and poor accuracy could render him a less interesting fantasy option.
... See More... See Less
Saints' Spencer Rattler: Status as starter uncertain
Rotowire
Saints head coach Kellen Moore said Monday that the team is still evaluating the quarterback position ahead of Sunday's road matchup against the Rams in Week 9, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Rattler was benched for rookie second-rounder Tyler Shough late in the third quarter of New Orleans' 23-3 loss to the Buccaneers in Week 8, though neither signal-caller had much success moving the ball on offense. Moore will likely want to give whomever of Rattler or Shough will start Sunday against Los Angeles a full week of practice, so a decision on the team's No. 1 quarterback for Week 9 likely will arrive prior to Wednesday. Neither boasts much fantasy appeal, especially in single-QB formats.
... See More... See Less
Saints' Spencer Rattler: Benched after two turnovers Sunday
Rotowire
Rattler completed 15 of 21 pass attempts for 136 yards, no touchdowns and one interception while gaining 12 yards and losing a fumble on three carries in Sunday's 23-3 loss to Tampa Bay.
Rattler was benched late in the third quarter of Sunday's loss following a pair of first-half turnovers and just three points scored. Rookie backup Tyler Shough didn't fare much better in relief, completing 56.7 percent of his pass attempts for 128 yards and an interception of his own. It will be interesting to see if Sunday's change was permanent or just a failed attempt to shake things up in Week 8. Neither signal-caller projects as a high-upside fantasy option against the Rams next Sunday.
... See More... See Less
Saints' Spencer Rattler: Will continue to start at QB
Rotowire
Coach Kellen Moore said Monday that Rattler remains the Saints' starting quarterback despite turning the ball over four times in Sunday's loss to the Bears, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.
When asked if the team needs to get a look at rookie Tyler Shough at some point this season, Moore said that will be a "week-to-week thing," according to Underhill. Rattler tossed three interceptions and lost one fumble against Chicago, but prior to Week 7 he'd only thrown one pick and lost zero fumbles. If Rattler can get back to taking care of the football, he should have a longer leash under center. However, he still offers minimal fantasy appeal.
... See More... See Less
Saints' Spencer Rattler: Sees turnover regression in loss
Rotowire
Rattler completed 20 of 32 passes for 233 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions while adding two rushes for 12 yards in the Saints' 26-14 loss to the Bears on Sunday. He also lost a fumble.
Rattler came into the day having thrown just one interception and not yet losing a fumble, but the Bears defense put an end to that mostly clean slate. Chicago snagged interceptions at its own 32, 12 and 22-yard lines, consistently snuffing out scoring threats. Rattler did continue to put up solid numbers outside the turnovers and connected with favorite target Chris Olave for touchdown passes of 21 and 14 yards. Rattler will be back in his friendlier home environment for a Week 8 divisional showdown against the Buccaneers.
Spencer Rattler hasn't been flashy this year, but he has played close to mistake-free football. He has completed 68% of his passes, thrown just one interception, and taken just 11 sacks despite the fact that his time to pressure (2.4 seconds) is tied for the third lowest mark in the league. This week, he faces a Bears defense that ranks in the bottom third of the league in sacks and pressure rate. Against this defense, just playing solid football can turn into 20 Fantasy points in a hurry.
... See More... See Less
Saints' Spencer Rattler: Kept out of end zone Sunday
Rotowire
Rattler completed 20 of 26 passes for 227 yards in Sunday's 25-19 loss to the Patriots. He added 20 rushing yards on four carries.
The second-year QB didn't commit a turnover for the fifth time in six starts to begin the season, but Rattler also wasn't able to produce a touchdown as the Saints had to settle for four Blake Grupe field goals, as well as a one-yard TD run from Taysom Hill. Rattler's 8.7 YPA on Sunday was a season high, as were his 227 passing yards. He'll take a 6:1 TD:INT into a Week 7 matchup against the Bears.
... See More... See Less
Saints' Spencer Rattler: Mistake-free effort in first win
Rotowire
Rattler completed 21 of 31 passes for 225 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 26-14 win over the Giants. He added 21 rushing yards on six carries.
The second-year QB led the Saints to their first win of the season with another relatively quiet, but turnover-free, performance. Rattler was able to pick his spots against a poor Giants secondary, connecting with Rashid Shaheed on an 87-yard catch-and-run TD in the second quarter. Rattler doesn't appear to be in much danger of losing his starting job to rookie Tyler Shough despite the team's 1-4 record, posting a 6:1 TD:INT and 67.2 percent completion rate, albeit with a poor 5.6 YPA. He'll look to build on this performance in Week 6 against the Patriots.
... See More... See Less
Saints' Spencer Rattler: Week 3 Waiver Priority List
Rotowire
Rattler played well in Week 2 against the 49ers with 25-of-34 passing for 207 yards and three touchdowns and four carries for 14 yards. He only scored 11.5 Fantasy points in Week 1 against Arizona, and he could be replaced by Tyler Shough at some point. But Kellen Moore has allowed Rattler to attempt 80 passes in two games, and Rattler could fall into enough production to help in deeper, one-quarterback leagues for 1 percent of your remaining FAB. And he's worth at least 15 percent of your remaining FAB in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues.
... See More... See Less
Saints' Spencer Rattler: Throws career-high three TDs
Rotowire
Rattler completed 25 of 34 passes for 207 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday's 26-21 loss to the 49ers. He added 14 rushing yards on four carries.
The second-year quarterback kept the Saints in the game with TD tosses Juwan Johnson in the second quarter, Rashid Shaheed in the third and Devaughn Vele in the fourth, but Rattler's attempt at a game-winning drive in the final three minutes stalled out around midfield. The three scores were a career high for the QB, who tossed only four in seven games as a rookie. Perhaps more impressive is the fact he's gone two straight starts without committing a turnover to begin 2025. Rattler will try to get his team into the win column in Week 3 against the Seahawks.
... See More... See Less
Saints' Spencer Rattler: Ho-hum effort in preseason finale
Rotowire
Rattler started the Saints' 28-19 preseason loss to the Broncos on Saturday afternoon and completed five of eight passes for 43 yards without a touchdown or interception while rushing once for no gain.
Rattler led the Saints' first three possessions before giving way to Tyler Shough, who was in the game until the fourth quarter. Rattler had noteworthy connections with Chris Olave of 12 and 10 yards, as well as a nine-yard completion to Rashid Shaheed, but Shough ultimately put up a more impressive showing. Rattler finished the preseason having gone 30-for-43 for 295 yards with a touchdown and an interception while adding seven rushes for 41 yards, and it remains to be seen if he did enough in the eyes of head coach Kellen Moore to earn the right to earn the Week 1 start against the Cardinals.
... See More... See Less
Saints' Spencer Rattler: No decision on QB1
Rotowire
Head coach Kellen Moore said Tuesday that he has not made a decision on who the starting quarterback for the Saints will be in Week 1 against the Cardinals, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Rattler served as the QB2 for the Saints' 17-17 preseason tie against the Jaguars on Sunday, completing 18 of 24 passes for 199 yards, one touchdown and one interception while rushing for 19 yards on two carries and adding a two-point conversion. He played better than rookie Tyler Shough on Sunday, but Moore relayed that the competition between the two young quarterbacks is "really, really close." Saturday's preseason finale against the Broncos will be Rattler's last opportunity to state his case for the starting job.
... See More... See Less
Saints' Spencer Rattler: Outplays starter Shough on Sunday
Rotowire
Rattler completed 18 of 24 passes for 199 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Sunday's 17-17 preseason tie against the Jaguars. He also rushed three times for 19 yards and ran in a two-point conversion.
After starting the Saints' preseason opener against the Chargers, Rattler waited until the second half to check in Sunday. Tyler Shough got the start but threw for only 66 yards in the first half and failed to lead a touchdown drive as the Saints trailed 17-3 at halftime. Rattler set the team up for a pair of third-quarter field goals, then bounced back from a fourth-quarter interception by throwing a 20-yard touchdown pass to Dante Pettis and running in the subsequent two-point conversion himself to tie the game with 21 seconds left. The pair of young quarterbacks will continue their competition Saturday in the preseason finale against the Broncos.
... See More... See Less
Saints' Spencer Rattler: Solid numbers in finale
Rotowire
Rattler completed 26 of 42 passes for 240 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions and rushed once for 11 yards in the Saints' 27-19 loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday.
The rookie quarterback got one final opportunity to gain experience and build his case for the future since Derek Carr (hand) remained sidelined, and Rattler made good use of the season-ending start. The South Carolina product was able to generate his second-highest yardage total of the season through the air and avoided an interception for the first time in his three consecutive season-ending starts. Rattler's solid performances over the last two games were particularly noteworthy considering the extremely shorthanded nature of New Orleans' offense, and it remains to be seen where he'll slot in on the organizational depth chart heading into training camp next summer.
... See More... See Less
Saints' Spencer Rattler: Preparing for another start
Rotowire
Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi said Tuesday that Rattler will continue to take reps with the first team in practice and will be in line to start Sunday against the Raiders if Derek Carr (hand) is unable to play, Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana reports.
Though the left hand fracture that Carr sustained in a Week 14 win over the Giants had been viewed as something that would likely end his season, the veteran quarterback isn't closing the door on returning to the field for either of the Saints' final two games. That said, Rizzi didn't provide any indication that Carr would be ready to practice when the Saints begin Week 17 prep Wednesday, so Rattler still looks to be headed for a second straight start and his fifth of the season. The Saints have gone 0-4 in Rattler's prior four starts, with the rookie signal-caller completing 74 of 129 pass attempts (57.4 percent) for 724 yards (5.6 YPA), one touchdown and three interceptions in those contests. He's also lost three fumbles and has taken 17 sacks in those contests.
... See More... See Less
Saints' Spencer Rattler: Pedestrian numbers in loss
Rotowire
Rattler completed 15 of 30 passes for 153 yards with no touchdowns and one interception and added five rushes for 28 yards in the Saints' 34-0 loss to the Packers on Monday night. He also lost a fumble.
Rattler unsurprisingly struggled in the frigid temperatures of Lambeau Field, but he hung tough while taking three sacks overall. He did give up the ball on one of those takedowns and did so in Packers territory, but the miscue didn't lead to any points for Green Bay. Rattler's other turnover on the night, a late third-quarter interception, likewise was followed by a Packers punt, but it had more opportunity cost associated with it considering it came at the Packers' two-yard line. While Rattler couldn't lead New Orleans to any points, there's seemingly no incentive for interim head coach Darren Rizzi to short-circuit the rookie fifth-round pick's valuable opportunity for reps over the final two games -- especially with a favorable home matchup against the Raiders coming up Week 17 -- even if Derek Carr (hand) is deemed ready to play.
... See More... See Less
Saints' Spencer Rattler: Could draw Week 16 start
Rotowire
Saints head coach Darren Rizzi announced Thursday that Rattler will start versus the Packers on Monday if Derek Carr (hand) is unavailable, Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana reports.
Rattler logged a solid showing after replacing Jake Haener under center during New Orleans' loss to Washington in Week 15, completing 10 of 21 passes for 135 yards and one touchdown, including a near last-second comeback. At this stage, Carr's Week 16 status is iffy, with Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football relaying that Rizzi indicated that the veteran QB would probably have to get in a practice by Saturday in order to play Monday.
... See More... See Less
Saints' Spencer Rattler: Likely to take over as starter
Rotowire
Rattler is expected to start Monday's game against the Packers with Derek Carr (hand/concussion) likely to miss the rest of the season, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.
Coming out of the Saints' Week 14 win over the Giants, Carr entered the concussion protocol and was also diagnosed with two fractures in his non-throwing hand. The latter injury is viewed as the greater concern and prevented him from playing in this past Sunday's 20-19 loss to the Commanders. Jake Haener drew the start for that contest but completed four of 10 pass attempts for 49 yards and an interception while taking three sacks before being benched at halftime in favor of Rattler. The rookie out of South Carolina nearly led the Saints to a comeback from a 17-0 deficit, completing 10 of 21 passes for 135 yards, including a one-yard touchdown to Foster Moreau as time expired. Rattler's potential game-winning pass to Juwan Johnson on the two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful, but he likely showed enough to get the starting nod over Haener in Week 16. Rattler previously made three starts in place of an injured Carr in Weeks 6 through 8, going 0-3 in those contests while completing 59.6 percent of his passes for 5.8 yards per attempt, one touchdown and two interceptions to go with 61 yards on nine carries.
... See More... See Less
Saints' Spencer Rattler: In mix for Week 15 start
Rotowire
Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi said Wednesday that he'll likely wait until Friday to choose between Rattler, Jake Haener and Derek Carr (head/hand) as the starting quarterback for Sunday's game at Green Bay, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Rattler was the emergency No. 3 quarterback for Sunday's 14-11 win over the Giants, while Haener replaced Carr after the 33-year-old suffered a concussion and a left hand fracture. The combination of injuries makes Carr a longshot to play Week 15, but the Saints aren't ready to rule him out yet and reportedly don't plan to place him on injured reserve. Rattler and Haener shared practice reps Wednesday, suggesting it's not a lock that Haener starts if Carr is inactive. Rattler made three starts in October while Carr recovered from an oblique injury, completing 59.6 percent of passes for 5.8 yards per attempt with one touchdown, four turnovers and 14 sacks as the Saints lost each game by at least 18 points. It would make sense to give Haener a shot now, but it's possible Rattler builds a case for himself in practice this week.
... See More... See Less
Saints' Spencer Rattler: Emergency QB for Week 14
Rotowire
Rattler (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Giants.
Rattler will serve as the Saints' emergency quarterback for Week 14 behind starter Derek Carr and backup Jake Haener. Rattler will only see the field Sunday if both Carr and Haener were to leave the game due to injury.
