During the 2024 NFL offseason, teams made a significant move by selecting six quarterbacks within the first twelve picks of the draft. This marked a historic moment, as it was the largest number of quarterbacks drafted in such a short span. As these rookie quarterbacks navigated their inaugural season, their performances showcased a mix of highs and lows. Notably, one quarterback led his team to the NFC Championship Game, while another faced the possibility of breaking the record for the most sacks taken in a single season. Additionally, one promising player was sidelined due to injury. As we head into year two, the pressing question remains: Are these quarterbacks poised to revolutionize the league, or did NFL teams misjudge their potential when drafting them last April? Welcome to Sophomore QB Week at The Ringer, where we delve into the careers and prospects of Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, Michael Penix Jr., J.J. McCarthy, and Bo Nix.
Today, we spotlight Spencer Rattler, a fifth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, who is now set to be the starting quarterback for the New Orleans Saints as they approach the 2025 season. The timing of the Saints' announcement about Rattler's starting position was somewhat overshadowed by the public's excitement surrounding the recent engagement of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. It’s intriguing that the Saints opted to reveal such pivotal news at a moment when many were focused on celebrity gossip. The announcement highlighted the unexpected turn of events, as Rattler—who was selected in the second round just four months prior—won the starting job over Tyler Shough, a fifth-round pick from the previous year.
New Saints head coach Kellen Moore expressed his confidence in Rattler's abilities, praising his growth during the offseason. "He's done an awesome job this offseason,” Moore stated. “His ability to make plays with his arm and his feet has certainly shown up. I'm really excited about Spencer. He's earned this opportunity." While Moore also acknowledged Shough's potential by emphasizing the importance of developing quarterbacks, he confirmed that Rattler would lead the team this season.
This situation presents a challenging narrative for the Saints. The team made headlines when they drafted Shough with the 40th overall pick, signaling their intention to find a long-term solution at quarterback following Derek Carr's retirement. Shough, who had extensive college experience and was viewed as a pro-ready prospect after overcoming several injuries, was expected to be a strong contender. Thus, Rattler's ascension to the starting role—despite his struggles last season—comes as a surprise.
Rattler's performance during his rookie year was far from stellar. In six starts and one relief appearance for an injured Carr, he completed just 57% of his passes, totaling 1,317 yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions. This translated to an average of only 188.1 yards per game. According to advanced metrics from RBSDM.com, Rattler ranked among the bottom quarterbacks in the league, finishing 39th in EPA per play and success rate. His struggles included a low "big-time throw" percentage of 2.4%, indicating a lack of impactful plays.
Despite these challenges, it would be premature to dismiss Rattler's potential for improvement in his second year. The quarterback possesses notable arm talent and was once considered a future first-round draft pick before losing the starting job at Oklahoma to Caleb Williams. The overall performance of the Saints' offense was also poor, as injuries to key players like Chris Olave and Alvin Kamara hampered their effectiveness. Entering 2024, the Saints struggled to maintain competitiveness in the NFC South, ultimately resulting in a disappointing season.
In an effort to refresh the franchise, the Saints hired Kellen Moore, who recently won a Super Bowl as the offensive coordinator for the Eagles. He has since assembled a new coaching staff and made strategic moves in free agency to address their salary cap issues. Although the Saints initially picked offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. in the draft, they later opted to take Shough, indicating their desire to secure a potential franchise quarterback.
As the Saints prepare for the upcoming season, the quarterback battle between Rattler and Shough is crucial, albeit with limited stakes. Many analysts predict a challenging year ahead for the Saints, with sportsbooks setting their win total at a low 4.5. Rattler, with a fifth-round pedigree, faces an uphill battle to prove himself, especially given the historical challenges faced by quarterbacks drafted at that level. If he can carve out even a modest career, akin to players like Matt Cassel or Gus Frerotte, it would be considered a significant achievement.
