By Ross Jackson
It was a big week for the New Orleans Saints. The team named Spencer Rattler as its starting quarterback, cut down its roster from 91 to 53, added to a mostly-filled practice squad, and the front office made some moves to add new talent to its numbers.
Over the last couple of weeks, the Saints have shown a willingness to make some tough decisions and do so while making some quiet statements along the way. Here are the three biggest takeaways from the team’s recent roster decisions led off by what has been a display of a true turning of the page in New Orleans.
This Coaching Staff Is Not Letting The Previous Regime Influence It
It sounds obvious, but one of the biggest concerns for the Saints this past offseason as they underwent their second head coach search since 2022’s offseason was that they may choose to go for comfort and familiarity rather than challenging themselves to change.
While that concern may have been unfair in some cases, it wasn’t entirely unwarranted either as the team has valued its consistency in previous big decisions.
Moore and his coaching staff have cut almost the entire 2023 Saints draft class from the active roster with only three remaining of the seven drafted players (offensive lineman Nick Saldivieri is on Injured Reserve).
The team also parted ways with previous big-value selections like defensive end Payton Turner. This coaching staff and set of new decision makers is absolutely marching to the beat of its own drum rather than following in the uneven and off-course footsteps of the previous regime.
The Rattler Decision Shows Moore Is Making His Own Choices
Another big curiosity was whether or not the quarterback battle would be a decision made under Moore’s watch or if the draft position and investment of rookie Tyler Shough would force the hand. The selection of Rattler, who was the clear front-runner throughout early going of training camp though Shough started to close the gap late, shows that this was a true evaluation to select the player that the team feels gives them the best chance to win now.
Rattler checked several boxes, all of which Moore highlighted, to win the job. His ability to use his legs, scramble and create second-action opportunities will be another element of his game that should pay off early in the season.
Kellen Moore Loves Speed
The Saints’ wide receiver room (active roster) does not have a player with a 40-yard-dash time slower than 4.47 seconds. There is a lot of speed in the room. The recent addition of former LSU wideout Trey Palmer added even more as waivers cleared from roster cuts earlier in the week.
With an offensive system that leans in on crossing routes and stretching defenses both laterally and vertically, this wideout group could generate some big plays in 2025. The big question will be whether or not Moore can effectively scheme up yards after catch opportunities, which previous coordinators have struggled to do. With a young quarterback starting, being able to generate big plays after the catch should help to maximize both Rattler’s comfort and overall effectiveness at quarterback.
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