Saints holding onto Spencer Rattler despite trade interest

It was another tough day at the office for Rattler, who remains in a battle for the Saints’ QB2 job with Zach Wilson. After losing a fumble last week, Rattler drove the Saints all the way down the field to the Rams’ six-yard line this week, only to throw an interception to Alex Cook in the end zone that was returned 100 yards for a touchdown. Rattler tried to force a pass to tight end Treyton Welch through what nearly looked like quadruple coverage, only for Cook to jump the route and run untouched to the end zone. Zach Wilson, who made the start, didn’t fare much better, completing 6-of-12 passes for 55 yards and an interception. Both QBs should see plenty of work in the Saints’ preseason finale next week against the Cowboys.

Wilson took over in the second quarter for Spencer Rattler, who struggled mightily in his 2026 debut. Wilson, on the other hand, looked far more comfortable running the offense and completed four of his five pass attempts on distances of 10 or more air yards. He was a perfect 2-for-2 on passes of 20-plus yards. Wilson connected with tight end Oscar Delp on a one-yard pass for his lone touchdown of the day and led the Saints on two scoring drives. Given what we saw from both Wilson and Rattler today, it wouldn’t be surprising if Wilson pushes Rattler for the QB2 spot behind Tyler Shough.

Rattler’s 3.8 yards per attempt won’t turn any heads, but the two sacks he took, one of which resulted in a lost fumble, might be enough to give Zach Wilson a chance at backup duties. Rattler didn’t complete a pass for more than nine yards on Saturday and will look to have a bounce-back performance in his next game, which is set for Saturday against the Rams.

The 2024 fifth-rounder was playing fairly well before he was unceremoniously benched for Tyler Shough. With two years remaining on his contract and names like Tyson Bagent being bandied about, it’s a little surprising nobody has touched base on Rattler just yet. The Saints don’t seem to be in any rush to break up their quarterback room, with Kellen Moore saying he “could not ask for a better QB room to handle the dynamics of one guy starting another guy supporting him and then flipping roles.”

Rattler ends the year on the bench with a finger injury. Jake Haener will back up Tyler Shough. With Shough somewhat surprisingly easily locking down 2026 starting duties, the best Rattler can hope for heading into Year 3 is clear backup status. He could have to battle a veteran or Day 3 rookie in camp, but Rattler has probably shown just enough to earn No. 2 duties without much of a fight. What he has not shown is future starter upside.

Saints head coach Kellen Moore made the QB switch official on Tuesday, two days after he benched Spencer Rattler in favor of Shough, who was selected in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Shough last week against the Bucs completed 17 of his 30 attempts 128 yards and one interception. He was the most inaccurate quarterback of Week 8 and had a far lower QB rating than Rattler. Shough starting for the Saints makes the Rams defense an elite fantasy play in Week 9. Chris Olave and the rest of the team’s pass catchers get a significant downgrade with Rattler’s benching. Rattler will likely be back under center in the coming weeks.

Moore pulled Spencer Rattler after a disastrous first half in Sunday’s loss to the Buccaneers and replaced him with rookie Tyler Shough. Shough didn’t fare much better in the 23-3 defeat, but speaking on Monday, Moore said the offensive failures were on the whole unit and not just Rattler. Perhaps he’ll consider going back to Rattler again despite his struggles all season, but we’ve seen coaches downplay a QB change early on only to inevitably show their hand later in the week. It would not be at all surprising if Shough was under center in Week 9.

Rattler was also sacked three times for 19 yards, which was the running theme for the former starter in this one. The Buccaneers’ pass rush haunted Rattler from the jump, keyed by a standout showing from fill-in starter Anthony Nelson. On the opening drive, Rattler was hit low, on a scramble, before Nelson jumped onto his back and punched the ball out with an arching hammer fist strike, which Buccaneers defenders successfully recovered. The Saints began their third drive from their own one-yard line. On the second play, Rattler threw a poorly aimed pass at TE Payne Durham, which Nelson successfully batted and caught, before waltzing into the end zone for a pick-six. Rattler’s time as the Saints’ 2025 starter appears to be over.

When asked to elaborate on whether or not we see rookie Tyler Shough at some point this season, Rattler said who the QB1 is would be determined on a week-to-week basis. Rattler has thrown for 1,450-8-4 in seven starts this season, but tossed three picks in Sunday’s loss to the Bears. For the most part, Rattler was doing a good job at limiting mistakes prior to Week 7’s collapse, but despite this, the Saints still remain one of the least productive offenses in the league. Sitting on a 1-6 record and with little offensive production to speak of, the move to Shough remains a matter of when, not if.

Rattler also lost a fumble on a scramble early in the game. Almost half of Rattler’s total yards came on a five-play, 91-yard drive at the end of the first half. On that drive, he made a few really nice throws to Chris Olave, but the rest of the game was Rattler under pressure in the pocket or escaping the pocket and making poor decisions down the field. The Bears were extremely aggressive on defense, which allowed Rattler to make a few big plays down the field. That was great for fantasy purposes, but it’s hard to have much confidence in him next week against the Bucs.