The New Orleans Saints have not yet determined their starting quarterback for the upcoming games. During a press conference following the team’s recent 17-17 tie with the Jacksonville Jaguars, head coach Kellen Moore refrained from naming a starting quarterback, stating, “we’ll see” when asked if a decision would be made this week.
In the game against the Jaguars, second-round draft pick Tyler Shough started as the quarterback and managed to lead the team to three points during the first half. Shough completed 9 of 12 passes for a total of 66 yards, although he faced challenges with two sacks and an intentional grounding penalty.
Following Shough, Spencer Rattler took over for the final two quarters and showcased an impressive performance. Rattler completed 18 of 24 passes for 199 yards, notably contributing 76 yards and a touchdown during the crucial game-tying drive late in the fourth quarter. Notably, Rattler had previously thrown an interception on the drive before this critical scoring opportunity, and Coach Moore emphasized that this was a “big moment” for Rattler to demonstrate his ability to bounce back from a turnover.
With Rattler's performance, rookie quarterback Jake Haener did not get the opportunity to play. Coach Moore described this as the biggest “downfall” of the game, indicating that Haener's lack of playing time could impact his development and the team's overall strategy moving forward.
As the Saints prepare for their next match, the decision of who will be the starting quarterback remains a pressing question. The performances of both Shough and Rattler during the tie against the Jaguars will undoubtedly factor into Coach Moore’s decision-making process. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how this situation unfolds in the coming days.
