Jon Endow-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
INGLEWOOD, Calif. – The first preseason game for the New Orleans Saints is in the books as the team falls to the Los Angeles Chargers.
THE STORY
It wasn’t as exciting a debut for the Saints’ new quarterback room as expected, but there were some highlights. Quarterback Spencer Rattler started the day for the Saints and saw five drives. Rookie Tyler Shough followed behind, starting off with a two-minute scoring drive march at the end of the first half.
It’s tough to say that either quarterback outperformed the other when taking into account that each saw different levels of competition. However, Shough’s stats and day definitely stand out over Rattler’s for now. It’s expected that the two will reverse order during next week’s preseason matchup with the Denver Broncos. At that point, the competition portion of the conversation will even out.
As has been typical of practices so far, Shough had the wider range of high-level play and down moments both tossing a 54-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Mason Tipton and an interception that was returned for a 43-yard touchdown by Chargers cornerback Eric Rogers.
Rattler’s day was more steady, but not as flashy. He was under pressure on over 35% of his dropbacks, per Pro Football Focus’s initial game tracking. Rattler appeared to perform at his best when on the move, leading the Saints in rushing yards until deep into the fourth quarter.
The quarterback battle undoubtedly won’t be settled after this game, but there is some promise to build off of before heading home for the final preseason matchups.
The Saints drop their preseason debut 27-13. But beyond the result of the game, the optimism around the quarterback situation is still getting off of the ground.
THE STAR
Hands-down, the most impressive player during the game was running back Velus Jones Jr. His pass-catching ability and blazing speed were on display after the catch. He also did some impressive work in the kick return game, bringing out a pair of kicks for 73 total return yards. He had a long kick return of 46.
THE PLAYS
On 3rd & 7, Rattler scrambles for 11 yds 🫡
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/h2awmPeEeP
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 10, 2025
house call 📞
📺 | CBS2 LA pic.twitter.com/ZIEqOH745C
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) August 10, 2025
Shough it. Tipton down there somewhere.
TOUCHDOWN SAINTS! 🙌
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/Cbg4XqVQkr
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 10, 2025
THE STATS
- Rattler went 7/11 for 53 passing yards and a 75.2 passer rating. He also ran three times for 22 rushing yards.
- Shough went 15/22 for 165 passing yards, one passing touchdown, an interception and an 86.4 passer rating. He also ran once for three yards.
- Quarterback Jake Haener entered the game in the fourth quarter and went 5/8 for 41 passing yards, an interception and a 35.9 passer rating. He also ran once for seven rushing yards.
- Rookie edge rusher Fadil Diggs had a sack, as did second-year defensive tackle Khristian Boyd. Boyd’s sack was initially ruled a safety, but overturned and ruled down on the one yard-line.
- Former Chargers defensive end Chris Rumph II secured a red zone sack in the fourth quarter to force a field goal.
THE INJURIES
- Offensive lineman WIll Clapp was carted off with an apparent lower-body injury.
- Left guard Trevor Penning was also carted off in the first half. Both of his shoes were removed when being taken to the locker room.
- Wide receiver Bub Means was carted off with his right shoe removed in the second half.
- Tight end Mason Pline was helped off the field and eventually back to the locker room with an injury.
