Will it be 2025 NFL Draft second round pick Tyler Shough leading the New Orleans Saints come Week 1 of the NFL season, or 2024 NFL Draft fifth round pick Spencer Rattler under center?
That decision won’t come until next week according to Saints head coach Kellen Moore who didn’t give anything away following Saturday’s 28-19 loss to the Denver Broncos in the preseason finale. In what has been a tight quarterback competition, may come down to who Moore feels can lead the offense more fluidly.
“We’ll go through this process,” Moore said following the game. “We’ll study the film Sunday, we’ll have those discussions, and then at some point next week we’ll make that decision and communicate with certainly the players, first and foremost, and we’ll get it to everyone else as well.”
Shough vs Rattler: Who will lead when the Saints march into Week 1?
While Rattler has more NFL experience, staring games for the Saints during his rookie season, Shough has made plays that make this a tough decision for Allen. In the preseason finale, Rattler started the game and completed 5 of 8 passes for 45 yards. Shough completed 12 of 20 passes for 102 yards which included a 12-play, 77-yard touchdown drive capped off by this 11-yard read-option play that led to a touchdown:
Read option? KEEP IT AND RUN
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 23, 2025
📺 @FOX8NOLA pic.twitter.com/CZwdLMcPzX
"I thought he did a really awesome job," Moore said. "I thought that was a great response, that drive by him. He had a number of completions in a row. The one incompletion to Ced (Wilson), he made a great adjustment at the line of scrimmage. We were really close there, and then the run was phenomenal. It was great recognition on him -- high football IQ and decision-making."
There is no doubt both quarterbacks have arm talent, but could that play by Shough give him the advantage as the starter? Although against the Broncos third stringers, his ability as a runner could set him as the quarterback that gives the offense the best chance for consistency.
In looking at the numbers throughout the preseason, Shough does have the slight edge as far as passing yards with 333 vs Rattler’s 295. But, when it comes come completion percentage, Rattler holds a slight edge at 69.7 percent vs Shough’s 67.9 percent. Both have a touchdown pass and interception, but Shough has the rushing touchdown that showed his ability with his legs.
Could a competition this close come down to who has the higher ceiling as far as dual-threat ability? If that ends up being the case, it could be Shough. But whoever is named the starter will have to look over their shoulder at the other all season long.
Maybe this is all mute as the next franchise quarterback for the New Orleans Saints may not be Rattler or Shough. Either quarterback could be a placeholder for whichever quarterback prospect ends up being the prize of the 2026 NFL Draft.