Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
As the New Orleans Saints return to the practice field to prepare for their second preseason game, the team’s quarterback competition is expected to be a lot more intense.
In the first exhibition matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers, it was undeniable that rookie Tyler Shough closed a bit of the gap that second-year passer Spencer Rattler had forged over almost the entirety of training camp.
Now, both should see an extra bit of motivation as they get ready for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Shough Building Confidence
Shough, assuming he is able to practice through his knee injury, which he called a minor “bruised knee” following Sunday’s game, will now have an extra boost of confidence after having seen his first live NFL action.
He met the challenge to the tune of 15/22 passing for 165 passing yards, a passing touchdown and an interception. The interception was brought back for a touchdown by Chargers cornerback Eric Rogers, but Shough showed that he was able to shake off the welcome to the NFL moment both on the field and off.
Shough it. Tipton down there somewhere.
TOUCHDOWN SAINTS! 🙌
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/Cbg4XqVQkr
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 10, 2025
On the following drive he connected on a 54-yard touchdown pass with wide receiver Mason Tipton on a double-move down the left sideline. A big bounceback moment for the rookie, who carried that confidence into his post-game media availability rather than the despair of the pick-six.
“I’m throwing that (pass) nine times out of 10,” Shough said. “It’s the exact look we wanted. (Rogers) made a really good play and jumped it. So, we knew we were going to get the ball back and just go drive down the field and score. … Stuff like that happens and it’s good to go bounce back and let it rip.”
If Shough is healthy enough to take the field for the practice week, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him getting extensive work with the first team in order to prepare him for likely starting snaps in the second preseason game.
It’s common for NFL teams managing a quarterback battle to reverse the starter and second-team passers from the first matchup to the second. That’s what is expected to be the case this week, though head coach Kellen Moore has not yet confirmed that to be the plan.
Rattler Has New Motivation
Meanwhile for Rattler, who has looked like an improved passer all camp, creating more distance in the conversation will have to be his goal.
As has always been the case since Shough was drafted higher than any quarterback by the Saints’ franchise since the 1970s, the best way for Rattler to win back his starting job was going to be doing so decisively. Now that Shough has narrowed the gulf a bit, it will be up to Rattler to take the field with increased motivation to leave no doubts on his side of the conversation.
Spencer Rattler nice deep shot to Mason Tipton. And the wife receiver room loves it. @WWLTV pic.twitter.com/qcQPJ8Bn2q
— Doug Mouton (@DMoutonWWL) July 30, 2025
If the battle ends up close following the Jaguars game, it’s widely assumed that the starting job will go to Shough. If Rattler wants to beat out those expectations, he’ll have to do so convincingly. This week will give him another chance to do exactly that.
Best Outcome for New Orleans
As for the Saints, this is a best-case scenario moment for them.
Whichever one of these young quarterbacks ends up being selected as the team’s next starter will be chosen because they’ve earned it. Not because the other option failed. The Saints will be able to walk away from this battle, going into Week One knowing that they chose the best option. That’s all any team looking to turn the page could ask.
