Back in May, Saints coach Kellen Moore expressed confidence that one of the team’s three quarterbacks would rise above the rest. His statement set the tone for an offseason of competition between Spencer Rattler, rookie Tyler Shough, and Jake Haener. However, the first preseason game against the Chargers didn’t deliver a clear frontrunner.
All three quarterbacks were listed as first-stringers and took turns leading the offense. Rattler started, followed by Shough, with Haener closing out the game. While each had moments worth noting, inconsistency plagued all three, leaving the Saints no closer to identifying their Week 1 starter.
Tyler Shough (NFL)Quarterbacks Show Flashes but Struggle for Consistency in Saints’ Ongoing Preseason Battle
Rattler played three series, completing 7 of 11 passes for 53 yards and adding 22 yards on the ground. Shough saw more action with six series, going 15 for 22 with 165 yards, a touchdown, and a pick-six. Haener, entering the fourth quarter, finished 5 of 8 for 41 yards and an interception. None of the stat lines stood out as dominant.
Moore noted that each quarterback had both encouraging plays and moments they would like to erase. He singled out Shough for bouncing back from his interception with a 54-yard touchdown pass to Mason Tipton, showing mental toughness under pressure. Still, turnovers and missed chances were a common theme across the board.
The quarterback battle is expected to continue into the next preseason game. But the Saints can’t postpone a decision for too long; they’ll need to settle on a starter to build chemistry and consistency before the regular season. Without that, whoever wins the job in Week 1 could just as easily be the first to lose it.
