Saints’ quarterback battle remains tight after joint practice

By Ross Jackson

The joint practice between the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Rams provided a potential inflection point in the team’s quarterback competition. Second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler and rookie Tyler Shough traded first team reps throughout the day and had their nearly-full complement of starting weapons in the process.

The fortunate thing for New Orleans was that each passer found ways to impress. It may seem that the best-case scenario for the Saints would be to have one of those passers leap out and clearly outperform the other. But the scenario they’ve found themselves in instead, which is one of a highly competitive duel, is perhaps even more valuable.

Unlike the preseason games where “first team reps” rarely include the full contingent of first team players, the joint practice provided both signal callers a chance to take the field with the group of weapons and contributors they would be expected to compete alongside in the regular season.

And beyond that, their group faced a group of equally talented starters in the process. 

The Saints’ quarterbacks had to navigate a lot of pressure on the day, which could be explained most by the teams not having a chance to gameplan for one another in a joint practice environment, especially one executed so quickly. But despite that barrage of pass rushers, Rattler and Shough each found their moments to make plays.

Rattler connected with wide receiver Rashid Shaheed on a deep ball down the left sideline. Shough found wideout Cedrick Wilson Jr. for a red zone touchdown as well as a big catch and run from speedy receiver Mason Tipton, turning a short pass into a 50+ yard touchdown.

There could have been a major separation in the joint practices. But instead, both quarterbacks kept their momentum going and remained positioned tight enough for this battle to not yet be called for either one.

It will make the Sunday Jacksonville Jaguars preseason game all the more intriguing. That will be the next opportunity for both to create separation in the conversation. Though, it won’t be surprising to see this duel continue even longer at this point.

The Saints will have to make a decision soon. But head coach Kellen Moore has been clear and consistent. He’ll allow the battle to continue for as long as it needs or call it as soon as it ends.

“As soon as we get to that point, we’ll pull it off,” Moore said of the ideal timing for selecting the Week One starter. “Whatever day it is, it is. But we want to give these guys as many opportunities as they can just because they’re younger guys. They need experience, they need exposure, there are things they’re doing for the first time, maybe the second time. We just need time on task with them.”