Saints 25-Year-Old QB May Have Played His Last Down in New Orleans

Spencer Rattler could be on the move this offseason after losing starting job to Tyler Shough

Feb. 21, 2026 at 11:07pm

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The New Orleans Saints hosted a quarterback battle between Spencer Rattler and rookie Tyler Shough last offseason, with Rattler eventually winning the starting job. However, Rattler struggled early in the season, leading the Saints to turn the team over to Shough, who helped lead them to numerous big wins and a strong finish to the season. Going into next season, it's clear that Shough is the starter of the future for the Saints, leaving Rattler on the bench behind him.

Why it matters

With a number of teams looking to make a change at quarterback, Rattler could be an option for a starting job somewhere next season. The Saints have clearly committed to Tyler Shough as their starter, so it makes sense for them to try to trade Rattler and give him the opportunity to compete for a starting role elsewhere.

The details

Rattler didn't play bad during his time under center for the Saints, posting a respectable 50.1 QBR in eight starts in 2025. However, Shough's 48.8 QBR was higher, and he helped lead the Saints to a strong finish to the season. The Saints should be able to land a draft pick in a trade that sends Rattler to a team that needs a quarterback, such as the Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, or New York Jets.

  • Last offseason, the Saints hosted a quarterback battle between Spencer Rattler and rookie Tyler Shough.
  • Rattler was eventually named the starter before Week 1 of the 2025 season.
  • The Saints would eventually turn the team over to Shough, who helped lead them to numerous big wins and a strong finish to the season.

The players

Spencer Rattler

A 25-year-old quarterback who won the starting job for the Saints last offseason but struggled early in the season, leading the team to turn the reins over to Tyler Shough.

Tyler Shough

The rookie quarterback who took over the starting job for the Saints and helped lead them to a strong finish to the 2025 season, cementing himself as the team's quarterback of the future.

New Orleans Saints

The NFL team that hosted a quarterback battle between Rattler and Shough last offseason, with Shough ultimately emerging as the starter of the future.

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What they’re saying

“With a number of teams looking to make a change at quarterback, ESPN's Ben Solak has suggested Rattler as an option for a starting job somewhere next season.”

— Aaron Schatz, ESPN analyst (ESPN)

What’s next

The Saints should be able to land a draft pick in a trade that sends Rattler to a team that needs a quarterback, such as the Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, or New York Jets.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the Saints' commitment to Tyler Shough as their quarterback of the future, and the likelihood that they will look to trade Spencer Rattler this offseason to give him an opportunity to compete for a starting job elsewhere.