QB · NO
transaction
FA: Spencer Rattler dropped
sleeper-tx-free_agent+7 stories · 30dSource unavailable
Drops: Spencer Rattler
Spencer Rattler
QB · NO · 25 yrs · exp 2 · South Carolina
Status
- Game status
- Active
Keep Trade Cut (SF TEP)
From latest snapshot · trend vs ~7d prior when data allows.
Value
1,418
Rank
#340
Pos rank
#52
7d trend
—
Value history (90d)
One snapshot point per calendar day (shown in your timezone).
Latest: Sep 7, 2026 · 1,418
News
Stories linked to this player — newest first.
general
Report: Saints will keep Spencer Rattler despite trade interest
The Saints plan to keep quarterback Spencer Rattler despite trade interest, according to a report
general
Report: Saints will keep Spencer Rattler despite trade interest
The Saints waived fourth quarterback Hunter Dekkers on Saturday, leaving Spencer Rattler and Zach Wilson behind Tyler Shough
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transaction
FA: Spencer Rattler dropped
sleeper-tx-free_agent+7 stories · 30dSource unavailable
Drops: Spencer Rattler
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general
Kellen Moore: We wanted to accomplish more offensively on Saturday
Zach Wilson made a good case for the Saints’ backup quarterback job in the team’s first preseason game, but his second outing did not go as well. Wilson started against the Rams on Saturday after replacing Spencer Rattler in the opener, but failed to put any points on the board while going 6-of-12 for 55 yards and an interception. Rattler was 14-of-23 for 141 yards, but he also threw an interception in the red zone that was returned for a 100-yard touchdown during the 34-0 loss. After the game, head coach Kellen Moore said he feels both quarterbacks have had good camps but that Saturday’s game was “a big-time missed opportunity.” “We’re gonna have to watch the film really closely,” Moore said. “Gut reaction is obviously we want to accomplish more as an offense. . . . We pushed these guys this week, we challenged them with some big-time opportunities with some joint practices and this game. I love the work collectively that we got over the course of the week. It’s just obviously we missed an opportunity here. I’ve got to prepare our guys better, I’ve got to get our guys ready to go for this opportunity.” The Saints will close out the preseason against the Dolphins on Friday and Moore will be looking for at least one of the quarterbacks to make more of their chance this time around
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Zach Wilson: I would love to be the No. 2 QB in New Orleans
Tyler Shough did not play any quarterback for the Saints on Saturday, but the two players in contention to be his backup both saw action against the Jaguars. Spencer Rattler started the game and went 8-of-11 for 42 yards while losing a fumble on one of the two sacks he took. The team’s opening drive ended with a touchdown, but it started on the Jacksonville 9-yard-line and ended after one Audric Estime run. The Saints also kicked a field goal while Rattler was in the game. Zach Wilson replaced Rattler and led two scoring drives in the second quarter. They moved the ball again in the third with Wilson at the helm, but a missed field goal kept the Saints from putting more points on the board. Wilson finished the day 11-of-16 for 145 yards and a touchdown. After the game, Wilson was asked if he thinks he made a case for jumping ahead of Rattler on the depth chart. “I don’t think about it like that ,” Wilson said. “Obviously I’m here to compete. I would love to be the two, I would love to find my way up there. That’s why I chose to come here, to have an opportunity to compete, but it’s out of my control. . . . I’m still young, but I feel like I’ve been able to play in a lot of games and see a lot of different things, and so I feel like it’s been able to slow down a little bit for me. Being able to use that to my advantage and just see how good I can be and, at the end of the day, whatever happens happens.” Head coach Kellen Moore didn’t commit to any changes to how the quarterback reps are doled out in practice and said he thought Rattler did some positive things, but a repeat of Saturday’s outing in the team’s next preseason game could lead to a change in plans for the 53-man roster in New Orleans
general
Spencer Rattler will start Saints' preseason opener
Saints quarterback Tyler Shough will not play in the preseason opener. New Orleans head coach Kellen Moore said today that backup quarterback Spencer Rattler will start Saturday’s preseason game against the Jaguars. Shough is the established starter after a promising rookie season last year. It’s not clear whether he’ll play at all in the preseason, but it won’t be this week. Rattler is competing with Zach Wilson to be Shough’s backup. The Saints also have Hunter Dekkers, who signed with the Saints as an undrafted rookie last year and spent most of the season on injured reserve, on the 90-player roster
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general
Spencer Rattler will start Saints' preseason opener
Saints quarterback Tyler Shough will not play in the preseason opener
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analyst
Spencer Rattler: Draws Saturday start
Rattler will start Saturday's preseason game against the Jaguars, per Saints head coach Kellen Moore. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update
analyst
Bryce Lance Emerging as a Deep Threat
Bryce Lance is emerging as a deep threat for the New Orleans Saints, with his big-play ability making him an intriguing dart-throw in best ball formats
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transaction
FA: Spencer Rattler dropped
sleeper-tx-free_agent+7 stories · 30dSource unavailable
Drops: Spencer Rattler
general
Have Giants, Saints finally found franchise QBs? History points to Year 2 leaps for Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough
The Giants have spent the better part of a decade looking for Eli Manning's replacement. The Saints have taken nearly as long trying to find life after Hall of Famer Drew Brees . Different cities, different organizations, same question: did they finally get their guy? New York cycled through names like Daniel Jones , Tommy DeVito and Russell Wilson before handing the offense to Jaxson Dart . In New Orleans, the list included Teddy Bridgewater , Jameis Winston , Derek Carr and Spencer Rattler before turning to Tyler Shough . Every move started with guarded optimism and ended with the search continuing. This time feels different. Not because Dart and Shough are guaranteed to become franchise quarterbacks, but because their rookie seasons in 2025 resembled those of quarterbacks who historically took major steps forward in their sophomore campaigns. Giants and Saints fans have heard such promises before. This time, there are reasons to believe. Quarterbacks don't usually break out because they throw for 4,000 yards as rookies. They break out because they already show the traits that consistently translate -- efficiency comes before production and limiting mistakes comes before stardom. The breakout usually arrives later, a function of everything else coming together. To see how Year 2 often unfolds, I looked at every quarterback since 2010 who started at least eight games as a rookie and tracked what happened in his second season. The quarterbacks who break out in Year 2 don't all get there the same way. But history shows a few recurring paths. The Launch Justin Herbert +0.13 +0.17 Elite rookie became an even better Year 2 quarterback. The Rescue Trevor Lawrence -0.09 +0.12 Coaching change unlocked his talent. The Plateau Mac Jones +0.04 -0.09 Offensive coaching change disrupted his development. The Regression Dak Prescott +0.23 -0.04 Supporting cast and offensive environment deteriorated. The Injury Robert Griffin III +0.22 +0.02 Knee injury fundamentally altered his trajectory. The lesson isn't that every quarterback falls into one of these distinct categories. It's that context matters as much as talent. Herbert built on an outstanding rookie season. Lawrence took off once Jacksonville got the coach right. Prescott regressed when the offense around him regressed ( Ezekiel Elliott was suspended, the offensive line was banged up). Mac Jones lost momentum after an offensive overhaul that included losing coordinator Josh McDaniels. And Griffin's trajectory changed because of injury late in his rookie season. Development is rarely linear, and it's almost never isolated from what's happening around the quarterback. So where does that leave this year's class? If there's one quarterback I'd bet on to make a Year 2 leap, it's Dart. What surprised me most was how consistent the results were. Whether I looked at historical comparisons or projections, they kept pointing back to the Giants quarterback. The Giants didn't spend Dart's rookie season trying to hide him. Once he became the starter, Brian Daboll asked him to run the offense, push the ball downfield and consistently make big-boy NFL throws. As the season progressed, Dart looked increasingly comfortable doing exactly that. And while it didn't always work, the results were encouraging. Dart's rookie numbers were modest: 2,272 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and a 91.7 passer rating across 12 starts. The more encouraging story lived beneath those numbers. Dart consistently challenged defenses downfield while protecting the football -- just five interceptions on 339 attempts -- even after Malik Nabers was lost for the season in Dart's first NFL start. By November, Daboll wasn't calling games like he was trying to protect a rookie. He was calling them like he expected Dart to make NFL throws. (And, yes, also like he was trying to save his job. Both things can be true.) Dart rewarded that trust. The game never felt too big, and that's a common thread fo [... truncated ...]
general
NFL training camp battles 2026: Son of ex-NFL linebacker among rookies competing for starting spots
NFL training camps are underway and rookies are experiencing positional battles to varying degrees. First-round picks typically have an easier path to playing time because positional needs are taken into account when making investments of that magnitude. Others have to work harder to make an impression. Thinking back to last season, the Saints were giving both Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough an opportunity to win the starting job. Rattler got the nod in Week 1, but Shough eventually took over. Texans left tackle Aireontae Ersery was cross-trained in training camp, but ultimately earned a longer look as C.J. Stroud's blindside protector. Who are going to be some of those rookies to step up this season? Through a week of training camp, there are a number of rookies engaged in positional battles. CBS Sports takes inventory of situations around the league. Many had waved away the potential shortcomings of Kansas City's right tackle situation after releasing Jawaan Taylor , but that, combined with left tackle Josh Simmons ' absence last season, should be cause for concern. Veteran Jaylon Moore was the presumptive starter on the right side entering camp, but undrafted free agents Esa Pole and Kahlil Benson have forced themselves into the conversation. Fifth-round pick Cyrus Allen had also been making an impression at receiver before getting dinged up in practice. There is a trio of offensive tackles who were taken in the first round and are competing: Caleb Lomu ( Patriots ), Max Iheanachor ( Steelers ) and Blake Miller ( Lions ). Monroe Freeling may have been in this category as well had it not been for an unfortunate health development with Taylor Moton . Bisontis and former third-round pick Isaiah Adams are locked in a battle for the right guard position. Presently, Adams holds an advantage. The coaching staff hopes that both Adams and Bisontis will eventually occupy starting roles, supplanting veteran Isaac Seumalo in the process. The Cardinals may preach taking it slow with the rookie lineman, but he was only a few spots away from a first-round label, and that comes with expectations. The Texans' coaching staff has been gauging a competition between first-round pick Keylan Rutledge and veteran Jake Andrews for the center gig, but it is difficult to envision Rutledge not winning the job, given that the team traded up to select him. Douglas is serving as a place-holder for a number of Dolphins rookies. Miami drafted 13 players and nine rookies are listed either first or second string on the depth chart. The team drafted three receivers and all three should push for immediate playing time. Jalen Tolbert , Tutu Atwell and Malik Washington are the most accomplished of the veterans, but Douglas offers size (6-foot-4) that can not be matched. The aforementioned veterans average 5-foot-10. As the team works to identify weapons for Malik Willis , in place of Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill, Douglas has a strong case. Indianapolis allowed safety Nick Cross to depart in free agency, which created a void in the secondary. The franchise really likes last year's seventh-round pick Hunter Wohler , who missed all of last season due to injury, but drafted Haulcy as a contingency plan. The two are now competing for the starting spot against Cam Bynum. Second-round pick CJ Allen has taken ownership of the defense since returning to the practice field. Fellow rookie, fourth-round pick Bryce Boettcher , may also secure a starting role in Lou Anarumo's defense before all is said and done. Hecht lasting until the fifth round came as a surprise because the player's body of work suggested he should have been taken much earlier. He may be a bit on the lighter side, but that can be minimized by the sheer mass of humanity on either side of him at offensive guard. Carolina signed veteran Luke Fortner , who brings additional value having offensive guard experience, in free agency, and Hecht is tasked with overtaking him for the starting center r [... truncated ...]
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general
Who could be some potential Saints Training Camp surprises this year?
Every year, teams go into training camp with predictions and expectations for certain position battles. This is a normal occurrence when coaches are trying to figure out their roster during the offseason, but sometimes, things change. An undrafted free agent who nobody expected to stand out has a great preseason/training camp, a veteran ends up regressing to the point of not being able to start, or a position battle goes the opposite way from what was predicted. When looking at the New Orleans Saints ’ roster, it’s hard to say with full confidence that at least one of the outcomes above will happen. The Saints were able to improve the entire team this offseason, including the depth. This will trigger some heated position battles during training camp and preseason, and here are some outcomes that could surprise many. When the Saints signed Zach Wilson this offseason, it was a shocking move many did not expect. Spencer Rattler was the likely QB2 for 2026, but it was clear the Saints still wanted to bring in competition. As of now, Rattler is the likely candidate to win the backup spot, but Wilson still has a path to that spot. Do not forget that Wilson was a former #2 overall selection. Yes, Wilson is considered to be a draft bust due to the beginning of his career, but the same title was put on Super Bowl-winning QB Sam Darnold , Tampa Bay Buccaneers starter Baker Mayfield , Indianapolis Colts starter Daniel Jones , and San Francisco 49ers QB Mac Jones, who is probably a year away from becoming a starter somewhere. QB development takes time, especially for a QB like Wilson, who was not ready to start in the NFL. If he finally feels comfortable in an offense and can develop under a staff that is built for that purpose, Wilson could have a really good training camp and preseason, which may lead to him winning the job. The area New Orleans made significant investment in this offseason was at WR, and it’s truly incredible to see how much can change in an offseason. Chris Olave , Jordyn Tyson, Devaughn Vele , Bryce Lance, and Barion Brown form an exciting group with versatility, talent, potential, and athleticism that the Saints have not seen in a long time. But with those 5 spots taken, that leaves 1 more spot to fill before the 53-man roster deadline. It’s going to be interesting to see what happens in this battle because of how many other WRs will be fighting for this last spot. Former New England Patriots WR Ja’lynn Polk is the favorite due to the chemistry he has built with the team and his potential, but one UDFA may put up a good fight. Brock Rechsteiner was a rookie mini-camp invitee who had already surprised many on the staff, leading the team to sign him right away. Rechsteiner is a more explosive player than Polk is, but Polk brings the contested catch ability that could really help this WR room. Drops have also been an issue in Polk’s young career, and if that continues and Rechsteiner becomes a consistent impact player, it would be hard for the Saints to go with Polk. Okay, here’s my long shot. When the Saints were going through their draft process, one prospect was probably the most likely selection I have seen since my time covering the Saints: Jeremiah Wright. He was projected to go on day 3, but the Saints kept getting linked with him and had many meetings with the player. It was clear early on that the Saints loved this player, even if he is more of a developmental prospect than others. They see the potential, and it’s likely that Wright is the long-term option at RG. So, if he still needs development, how can he become the starter? Well, that’s why this is a long shot. For this to happen, Cesar Ruiz would either have to be injured or really regress this offseason (which would be very unexpected. Then, Wright needs to show development and consistency throughout training camp and the pre-season. This is not an impossible outcome, just extremely unlikely
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NFL offseason power rankings: No. 24 New Orleans Saints seemingly found a coach and QB last offseason
Other NFL team previews: 32. Dolphins | 31. Jets | 30. Cardinals | 29. Browns | 28. Titans | 27. Raiders | 26. Falcons | 25. Giants | 24. Saints The New Orleans Saints looked like they might bottom out last season. Even their big moves in the offseason seemed like they were settling for leftovers. The Saints were the last team to fill their coaching vacancy, hiring Kellen Moore. Part of that was waiting until Moore guided the Eagles' offense through the Super Bowl, but other candidates like Joe Brady, Kliff Kingsbury, Aaron Glenn and Mike McCarthy had already backed out . There were many bad situations among the coaching vacancies last offseason, and the Saints' situation was arguably the worst. They had a roster with practically no young blue-chip talent other than receiver Chris Olave , no quarterback and the salary cap was a mess. Some analysts really liked quarterback Tyler Shough before the 2025 NFL Draft, but if he was that clean of a prospect he wouldn't have been available to the Saints at 40th overall. And if the Saints truly thought he was a franchise quarterback, they would have drafted him at ninth overall instead of offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. Other teams with a dire need at quarterback passed on Shough. Injuries, age (Shough was 26 years old as a rookie) and only one full season of college starts pushed him down. The Saints took a shot in the second round, even though most quarterbacks picked outside the second round don't work out. In the 10 drafts before Shough was picked, there was only one second-round QB success story ( Jalen Hurts ) and the rest were busts ( Christian Hackenberg , DeShone Kizer , Drew Lock , Kyle Trask , Will Levis ). And the 2025 Saints season started predictably bad. Shough couldn't beat Spencer Rattler in the preseason and the Saints didn't make a QB change until November even though they lost seven of Rattler's eight starts. Shough lost his first start too, and New Orleans was 1-8. At that point, five of their previous six losses were by double digits. We don't remember that about the Saints as they head into this season. That's because the Saints had an out-of-nowhere turnaround in the second half that changed the franchise's entire outlook. Coaches of 1-8 teams can lose the team in the second half , but the Saints continued to play hard for Moore. That was a great sign for a rookie head coach. Shough finished second in NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year voting despite starting just nine games. He was a revelation for most of the second half, allowing the Saints to have no concerns about what to do at quarterback this offseason. Shough proved he should be the quarterback in 2026 and it looks like he could hold the job far beyond this season too. The Saints went 5-3 down the stretch with wins at the Panthers and Buccaneers, who would finish in a three-way tie for first place in the NFC South. The Saints were the only team to not finish 8-9 in the division, but they were the NFC South's best team in the second half of the season. Two good months is all it took for the Saints to go from looking hopeless to envisioning a bright future, behind a coach who was the last pick in that hiring cycle and a quarterback who was drafted at a spot so many others had zero success. "Like so many players on our team, [Shough] just got better each and every week," Moore said after the season, via the team's site . The job isn't done. Moore and Shough will have to show they are capable long-term solutions and didn't just catch a heater for a half season against a soft schedule. The roster still has plenty of issues; it was never going to be a one-offseason rebuild. But the Saints hope they have the two most important pieces in place, and finally have some salary cap flexibility for 2027 as well. At the end of October last season, the Saints being optimistic about the future by this summer seemed like an impossible dream. That changed fast. The Saints finally got their salary cap in order. T [... truncated ...]
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A look at the QB2 situation in New Orleans
In 2025, the New Orleans Saints faced an unusual decision going into the season: who would be the starting quarterback in Week 1? Between Drew Brees , Jameis Winston and Derek Carr , it’s a question the franchise has rarely had to deal with in recent decades. Alas, despite much speculation that the battle was merely a formality before Tyler Shough was handed the keys by preseason, it was second-year pro Spencer Rattler who got the nod from Kellen Moore. A year on, a different question persists in the QB room: who’s the backup? Having taken over the reins halfway through last season, Shough is now the established starter heading into 2026. But whether Rattler is in at QB2, we’re yet to have a definitive answer for. Rattler’s rookie deal sees him under contract for two more seasons. Meanwhile, former 2021 second overall pick Zach Wilson is also in the building, having signed a one-year contract with the Saints for the season ahead. Wilson struggled to establish himself through three seasons with the Jets before stints over the last two years with Denver and Miami . A highly touted prospect coming out of BYU, he’s yet to live up to what many hoped he could be at the professional level. Rattler, meanwhile, had his moments as the starter a year ago, and threw just one interception in his first six starts. But he ultimately lost his spot after the Saints fell to 1-7 on the year. Which QB starts the year behind Shough will be a story to follow as the Saints move through the offseason. Who do you want to see as the backup in Week 1? Let us know in the comments!
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The Saints’ most important offseason battle is not roster positions
After finishing the 2025 season with a 6-11 overall record, one would be led to think that morale and expectations surrounding the New Orleans Saints were relatively low. The team failed to reach the postseason five straight years and has had a losing record in back-to-back seasons, yet the hype around this year’s squad could not be higher as the Saints have the Big Easy abuzz once more. Mickey Loomis, Kellen Moore, and the rest of the Saints’ staff have done their job in putting a quality roster together on paper, but now that they believe the right pieces are in place, how long will fans remain patient before success transitions from a desire to a demand? New Orleans brought in then-first-year head coach Kellen Moore last offseason after he spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles , which included a Super Bowl LIX victory. The Saints struggled under Dennis Allen’s leadership through two and a half years before Moore’s hire, so Loomis and co. made it a priority to bring in one of the youngest, brightest offensive-minded coaches in the NFL. Moore brought in more talented coaches to serve as his staff. Some hires included Brendan Nugent, Joel Thomas, and Scott Tolzien , but most notably, he brought in Doug Nussmeier as the Saints’ offensive coordinator while Brandon Staley was signed to become New Orleans’ defensive coordinator. Although he did not have a full offseason under his belt, Moore meshed well with the rest of the Saints’ organization from the get-go. The 2025 draft class drew comparisons to New Orleans’ historic class of 17’ in just their rookie campaigns. They utilized their top two draft picks in hopes of immediately impacting the trenches and locking up the team’s quarterback of the future. Kelvin Banks Jr. and Tyler Shough seemingly answered that bell and then some, even though Shough’s opportunity did not come until later in the year after QB Spencer Rattler ’s benching. New Orleans then went defense-heavy in the middle rounds of 2025, filling gaps and finding diamonds in the rough that are on track to play critical roles in this year’s grouping. Fast forward one year and a late-season four-game win streak later, Moore and the majority of the new staff members are entering their first full season together in New Orleans, while last season’s rookies begin their sophomore years. In the most recent free agency, the Saints were active, signing Ryan Wright (P), Travis Etienne Jr. (RB), David Edwards (G), Noah Fant (TE), Kaden Elliss (LB), and more. Even with the departure of a strong veteran like linebacker Demario Davis ( New York Jets ), the Saints have to feel good about the position they put themselves in by improving the roster from 2025. While this year’s rookies are yet to see the field, fans were exuberant about how the draft in April went for the black and gold. The Saints took Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson with the eighth overall selection in this year’s class. With pass catching a major area of need, New Orleans attacked this void heavily in the draft, also picking WRs Bryce Lance and Barion Brown in addition to tight end Oscar Delp . Staley got help on the defensive side of the ball as the Saints drafted DT Christen Miller out of Auburn while simultaneously facilitating a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders to get Tyree Wilson in exchange for minimal draft capital. Obviously, questions and concerns remain for New Orleans, but the team just answered one of the biggest lingering issues this offseason with the recent re-signing of longtime Saint Cam Jordan. His return to the Crescent City quieted noise that he could depart the Saints this year if the two could not agree on a new deal; however, Jordan announced he will suit up “one final season,” meaning he will have spent the entirety of his professional career with one team. This season, New Orleans will have the second-easiest strength of schedule to compete with after their fourth-place finish in the division last year. As the team continues [... truncated ...]
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transaction
FA: Spencer Rattler dropped
sleeper-tx-free_agent+8 stories · 30dSource unavailable
Drops: Spencer Rattler
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outlook
2026 Season Outlook
sleeper-outlook+8 stories · 30dSource unavailable
Rattler opened last season as New Orleans' starting quarterback, guiding the team to a 1-7 record while completing 67.7 percent of his passes for 1,586 yards, eight touchdowns and five interceptions before eventually being benched in favor of 2025 second-rounder Tyler Shough. Shough capitalized on his opportunities down the stretch and is locked in for the starting role in 2026, leaving Rattler to battle free-agent addition Zach Wilson for backup duties. If Rattler secures the No. 2 job, he has enough starting experience to function as a capable fill-in, particularly with New Orleans bolstering its offense this offseason by adding RB Travis Etienne and rookie first-round WR Jordyn Tyson
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analyst
Spencer Rattler - Getting work in at OTAs
sleeper-rotowire+8 stories · 30dSource unavailable
Rattler (finger) is participating during the Saints' OTAs, John Sigler of USA Today reports. Rattler was inactive for New Orleans' season finale at Atlanta back in January due to a finger injury, but it doesn't seem to be an issue for him any longer. He'll be competing with Zach Wilson for the backup quarterback spot behind 2025 second-rounder Tyler Shough in 2026
Data comes from cached Sleeper and KTC snapshots. Values update when the sync jobs run.