Saints QB Spencer Rattler Returns to Arizona for Offseason Training

The former Pinnacle High star continues to work with his longtime QB coach Mike Giovando in the Phoenix area.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 8:24pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the deconstructed motion of a quarterback throwing a football, with overlapping planes of deep blues, greens, and browns representing the gritty, focused nature of offseason training.Arizona's pipeline of elite quarterback talent continues to produce the next wave of top signal-callers, as evidenced by Spencer Rattler's offseason training regimen.Scottsdale Today

New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler has returned to Arizona this offseason to train with his longtime quarterback coach Mike Giovando. Rattler, who starred at Pinnacle High School in Phoenix before playing college football at Oklahoma and South Carolina, has been working with Giovando since he was 12 years old. Giovando has trained many top Arizona high school and college quarterbacks over the years, and he continues to work with the next generation of talent in the state.

Why it matters

Arizona has emerged as a hotbed for quarterback talent in recent years, with several former in-state high school stars excelling at the college and professional levels. Rattler's continued work with Giovando highlights the importance of quality coaching and development for young quarterbacks, and the story showcases Arizona's growing reputation as a quarterback-producing state.

The details

Rattler, who was drafted by the Saints in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, is working to continue improving his game this offseason. He started eight games for New Orleans last season before finishing the year as Tyler Shough's backup. Rattler says he still has a lot of work to do, but he also enjoys coming back to Arizona to help mentor the next wave of young quarterbacks training with Giovando, including players like Pinnacle's Jackson Reader, Goodyear Desert Edge's Blake Roskopf, and Scottsdale Desert Mountain's Jake Pilarcek.

  • Rattler has been training with Giovando since he was 12 years old, before starring at Pinnacle High School.
  • Rattler was the No. 1 ranked quarterback in the 2019 high school class.
  • Rattler was drafted by the Saints in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
  • Rattler started 8 games for the Saints last season before finishing as the backup to Tyler Shough.

The players

Spencer Rattler

The quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, who starred at Pinnacle High School in Phoenix before playing college football at Oklahoma and South Carolina.

Mike Giovando

Rattler's longtime quarterback coach who has trained many top Arizona high school and college quarterbacks over the years.

Tyler Shough

The starting quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, another former Arizona high school standout who starred at Chandler Hamilton.

Will Mencl

The Chandler High School quarterback who is rated the No. 2 college prospect in Arizona's 2027 class.

Jake Pilarcek

A 16-year-old quarterback prospect who recently transferred to Scottsdale Desert Mountain and has been training with Giovando since age 6, with an elite arm strength comparable to Rattler's at the same age.

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What they’re saying

“Just gradual improvement each year. Setting goals and trying to hit those each and every year. I feel like we've checked a lot of boxes.”

— Spencer Rattler, New Orleans Saints Quarterback

“You don't see arms like that very often. He's got an elite arm.”

— Mike Giovando, Quarterback Coach

“I'm working on my footwork overall and my accuracy.”

— Jake Pilarcek, Scottsdale Desert Mountain Quarterback

What’s next

Rattler will continue his offseason training with Giovando in Arizona as he prepares for the upcoming NFL season with the Saints. Several of the young quarterbacks Rattler is mentoring, including Pilarcek and Reader, will also look to make an impact at the high school level in Arizona this fall.

The takeaway

Rattler's continued work with his longtime quarterback coach Giovando highlights Arizona's growing reputation as a hotbed for quarterback talent development. The state has produced numerous college and NFL standouts in recent years, and the next generation of top signal-callers are already honing their skills under Giovando's tutelage.