NFL Insider Says Shough, Rattler Likely to Battle for Saints' QB1 amid Carr's Injury

The New Orleans Saints drafted 25-year-old quarterback Tyler Shough in the second round at the NFL draft, setting up a battle with Spencer Rattler for the starting quarterback job while Derek Carr recovers from a shoulder injury.

As Judy Battista of NFL Network noted, "It's entirely possible Shough is the Week 1 starter for the Saints, giving Kellen Moore a quarterback to mold immediately and providing a fresh start for a franchise that feels like it is in the throes of a rebuild anyway. Attention now turns to Carr's status—the Saints have so far said little—and then, likely, to a training camp competition between Shough and 2024 fifth-rounder Rattler. Shough's presence on the roster is an indication that the Saints are already thinking about life after the 34-year-old Carr, whose contract runs through 2026, whether it's now or soon."

Rattler will bring more NFL experience to the table in the team's quarterback competition, though he was 0-6 as the team's starter this past season. In seven total appearances he threw for 1,317 yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions, completing just 57 percent of his passes.

Obviously, the Saints wouldn't have felt the need to draft a quarterback with a second-round pick had Rattler impressed. Still, the 24-year-old was only a rookie in 2024, and another year of NFL experience could give him an edge.

Both Shough—who is a year older than Rattler—and his counterpart will be adjusting to a new offense under first-year head coach Kellen Moore and new offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier. And both are ready to battle for playing time.

"My goal is to come in there and compete and do everything I can to make the team better," Shough told reporters on Friday after his selection. "And I think for my situation, that's my whole goal and I'm just really excited to work with the coaches and see a lot of my close friends and teammates that are already there. So, just super fired up for the opportunity and obviously a great franchise and a great history of quarterbacks."

Obviously, if Carr is able to eventually return from his injury next season, the quarterback battle will be a short-lived one between Shough and Rattler. But there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding his injury at the moment.