NEW ORLEANS — The Big Easy buzzes with anticipation as the New Orleans Saints charge into training camp at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center, where a three-way quarterback battle promises to redefine the team’s future. Following a disappointing 5-12 record in 2024 and Derek Carr’s abrupt retirement due to a shoulder injury, the Saints have pinned their hopes on rookie Tyler Shough, second-year pro Spencer Rattler, and third-year backup Jake Haener to seize the Week 1 starting role against the New York Jets. With fans eager for a fresh start, this competition is the talk of the town. Saints QB battle is heating up in the Big Easy.
The New Orleans Saints training camp is here.
The Saints’ 2024 season was a low point, marked by offensive struggles and a last-place finish in the NFC South. The quarterback position, plagued by injuries and inconsistency, was a glaring weakness. Carr, before his season-ending concussion and hand injuries, threw for 3,195 yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 10 starts but managed only a 65.1% completion rate and 6.8 yards per attempt. Backup Spencer Rattler, thrust into six starts, went 0-6, completing 57% of his passes for 1,188 yards, three touchdowns, and five interceptions, averaging a meager 5.9 yards per attempt. Jake Haener, in limited action, completed 46.2% of his 39 passes for 226 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
The team’s offense ranked 27th in scoring (16.5 points per game) and 29th in turnovers (34), prompting GM Mickey Loomis to seek new blood to boost accuracy, efficiency, and big-play potential.
Tyler Shough, a second-round pick (No. 40 overall) from Louisville, leads the betting odds at -150 to start Week 1, per DraftKings Sportsbook. At 25, Shough brings a seasoned arm, having thrown for 3,191 yards, 23 touchdowns, and six interceptions at a 62.1% completion rate in 2024. His 6-foot-5 frame and ability to make off-angle throws impressed new coach Kellen Moore, who praised Shough’s playbook mastery. However, his injury history—collarbone and leg issues at Texas Tech—raises durability concerns.
This Saints QB Battle is sure to be a fun one!
Spencer Rattler, at +220, aims to rebound from a rocky rookie year. The 2024 fifth-round pick showed flashes of potential but struggled under pressure, taking 22 sacks in seven games. His offseason improvements, noted by ESPN’s Dan Graziano, have earned him support within the organization, making this a “true competition.” Rattler’s youth (24) and arm talent keep him in the hunt, but he must improve his 52.0 PFF grade, the lowest among 2024 quarterbacks.
Saints QB Battle Heats Up
Jake Haener, a 2023 fourth-round pick, lags at +600. His lone start in 2024—a one-point loss with 49 yards on four completions—did little to inspire confidence. At 26, Haener’s experience at Fresno State offers familiarity with Moore’s system, but his 46.2% completion rate and limited reps place him as a long shot, likely vying for the QB2 role.
Training camp, with rookies reporting July 18 and veterans July 22, will be decisive. Moore plans to distribute reps evenly during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers and Philadelphia Eagles, starting August 13. Preseason games, beginning August 7, will test each quarterback’s ability to exploit the Saints’ skill players, like Chris Olave and Alvin Kamara, in Moore’s revamped scheme. Fans, flocking to open practices starting July 25, sense a turning point after years of post-Drew Brees struggles. The New Orleans Saints aim to lift their completion percentage, cut turnovers, and increase yards per attempt. Shough’s pro-readiness gives him the edge, but Rattler’s upside and Haener’s grit keep the race open. As the New Orleans Saints rally behind its young signal-callers, the Caesars Superdome awaits a new hero to ignite the 2025 season for the Saints QB battle.
Shedeur Sanders and the Browns are well under way.
Saints training camp schedule can be found here.
