Spencer Rattler Reportedly Has 'Big Fans' within Saints amid Tyler Shough QB1 Battle

The New Orleans Saints are amid a three-man starting quarterback battle featuring 2025 second-round draft pick Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener.

Word is people in the Saints organization who are "big fans" of Rattler as training camp continues, per a note from ESPN's Dan Graziano in an article discussing camp QB battles.

"On the surface, the numbers indicate Rattler and Haener should be pretty easy for the 40th pick to beat out. But multiple league executives insist there are people in the Saints' building who are big fans of Rattler and believe he could develop into a good starter if given the chance and the right coaching. And Haener is a guy they liked enough to draft in Round 4 but hasn't had a real chance to show what he can do yet. The important data points are all still to come, as this competition is just beginning."

To be clear, Graziano predicted Shough to win the competition and start Week 1. That makes sense considering the Saints invested the 40th overall pick in the signal-caller.

Rattler started six games for the Saints last year. He completed 57.0 percent of his passes for four touchdowns, five interceptions and 1,317 yards (5.8 yards per attempt). Those obviously aren't great numbers, but Rattler was also thrown into a fire in a tough year for the Saints that saw starter Derek Carr play just 10 games due to injury and head coach Dennis Allen get fired after a 2-7 start.

The 2024 fifth-round pick is getting another chance, and Haener, a 2023 fourth-rounder, is getting a look as well. He saw limited action for the Saints last season, completing 18-of-39 passes for 226 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Ultimately, the door is still open for any of them to walk through and start Week 1, although Shough appears to have the edge. New Orleans opens the season at home against the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 7.