Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler QB Competition is 'Really, Really Close,' Saints HC Says

The New Orleans Saints have one more preseason game remaining and apparently aren't done evaluating their quarterback race.

Head coach Kellen Moore told reporters Tuesday he has not decided who will start between Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler and will continue factoring in training camp practices as he works toward a decision.

"It's really, really close -- numbers, experiences, reps, everything -- it's going all the way back to the start of training camp, everything is very, very close between this group. We'll see how it all plays out," Moore said, per ESPN's Katherine Terrell.

He added: "I think both these guys are putting in tremendous effort, tremendous work. They're both doing a ton of good things, so we'll see how it goes."

Moore is going against the trend this week in the NFL, as the Cleveland Browns named Joe Flacco their starting quarterback Monday before the Indianapolis Colts announced Daniel Jones as their starter Tuesday.

However, Flacco and Jones are both far more experienced at the NFL level than either Shough and Rattler with less to prove.

New Orleans will also have its final preseason game against the Denver Broncos as another measuring point after each quarterback flashed his potential at times during the first two contests.

Shough went 15-of-22 for 165 yards, one touchdown and one interception against the Los Angeles Chargers, while Rattler went 18-of-24 for 199 yards, one touchdown and one interception against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Rattler also delivered in the clutch against Jacksonville with a touchdown pass to Dante Pettis in the final 30 seconds before he ran the two-point conversion in himself to tie the game at 17. That ended up being the final score.

"Just the way we finished was exciting," Rattler told reporters. "Got-to-have-it type moments and to bring it to life out there on the field, especially in the (Superdome), was fun."

Rattler made six starts for the Saints last season, although the team went 0-6 in those contests while he threw four touchdown passes to five interceptions. He didn't exactly look like a franchise quarterback in the process, and New Orleans responded by selecting Shough in the second-round of this year's draft.

The catch with Shough is that he is an older rookie who will turn 26 years old next month. It might be now or never for him, and the Saints surely planned on playing him sometime when they used such a high draft pick on him.

It is a lot to factor into the decision, so perhaps it isn't surprising Moore is taking his time to come to the conclusion.