Saints to start QB Tyler Shough over Spencer Rattler vs. Rams

NEW ORLEANS – The Saints will start rookie quarterback Tyler Shough against the Los Angeles Rams with Spencer Rattler remaining on the bench, the team announced Tuesday.

Coach Kellen Moore benched Rattler in favor of Shough in the middle of Sunday’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and said after the game that it would take 48 hours to decide on a starting quarterback.

Sunday’s game against the Rams will be Shough’s first NFL start and his first start overall since playing for Louisville on November 30, 2024.

He completed 17 of 30 passes for 128 yards, one interception and no touchdowns against the Bucs after entering with the team trailing 17-3. Before Sunday’s loss, he had only seen limited action at the end of a blowout loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3.

Rattler, who won the job over Shough in a lengthy training camp battle, has struggled in his last two games, turning the ball over six times — with four interceptions and two fumbles — in six quarters against the Chicago Bears and Bucs. He’s also been sacked seven times in his last six quarters.

He was pulled after the Saints’ first offensive drive of the third quarter against Tampa Bay. The Saints fell back due to three penalties, and Moore said he turned to Shough to try to provide a spark to the offense.

Rattler is now 1-13 as a starter since last season when he replaced an injured Derek Carr in two separate stints. Rattler’s only win as a starting quarterback came against the New York Giants this season in Week 5.