Rattler, Saints ready for 2025 opener with full arsenal

By Ross Jackson

METAIRIE, La. – It may not be the first time that quarterback Spencer Rattler is preparing for a game as the New Orleans Saints’ quarterback, but it is a unique situation this time around. 

Rattler is expected to have a healthy roster around him, something he consistently did not have during his six starts last year. He also had an entire offseason to learn Kellen Moore’s system and had multiple weeks to prepare for his first game. Las year, he leapt from scout team quarterback to starter in the matter of about a week.

Moore has put his team, on both sides of the ball, through the wringer with live-called practices, scrimmages and a litany of situational work. All of that has Rattler feeling prepared for his first go as the Saints’ 2025 starter.

“I think we we’ve banked so many reps on that,” he said during his Wednesday media availability. “Every situation you could think of and I think it helps getting it done in practice and throughout the offseason. And then, obviously, rolling into game day with it. You’ll always be in some sort of situation in a game. If it’s end of half, if it’s backed up and end of game, you name it. We definitely get reps at all of that and credit to our coaches for making us do that. It’s great.”

Moore had the team run several scrimmages including one 126-play day during camp, another 60-plus play day and then over 80 plays with the Los Angeles Rams while holding camp on the West Coast.

That focus on real-game situations has helped to prepare not just Rattler, but the roster for this weekend’s opening action. That roster, at least on the offensive side of the ball, is now healthy for the most part. That serves as another benefit for the young quarterback going into his matchup with the Arizona Cardinals.

“Having a a full stable of guys is great,” he said. “Up front, out wide, really on both sides of the ball. I think it gives you confidence in what we can do and obviously we have the talent. We got the guys and now we just got to go out there and do it.”

Rattler has not seen a single regular season snap with three of his top weapons–running back Alvin Kamara and wide receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed–all on the field at the same time with starting center Erik McCoy. Additionally, he’s seen just two regular season snaps with both Olave and Shaheed together on the field at all. While he did get some time with them all this preseason, the big debut for them all is slated for Noon CT in New Orleans.