Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
Of the several intriguing storylines that will unfold as the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears square off on Sunday, one stands alone as an on-field battle. Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler will have to confront some old demons as he operates his offense opposite Bears quarterback Caleb Williams.
While the clash between Saints head coach Kellen Moore and Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen provides a head-to-head search for revenge, the clash of the two quarterbacks includes a lot more connective and direct context.
2021 Red River Showdown
That context goes back to the 2021 college football season. During an Oct. 9 rivalry matchup between the Oklahoma Sooners and Texas Longhorns, Rattler was the starting quarterback with Williams as his highly-anticipated backup.
After a 38-13 deficit had opened with the Longhorns in the lead, Sooners head coach Lincoln Riley decided to sit Rattler and put Williams in the game. The 2021 No. 1 recruit stormed Oklahoma back on the way to a 55-48 surprise win.
Rattler, also the No. 1 recruit of his 2019 class, then lost his starting role for the remainder of the season. Both he and Williams would transfer after the season with Williams headed to USC, following Riley. Meanwhile, Rattler would head to the South Carolina Gamecocks. It’s a set of events that Rattler called “a blessing in disguise” on Wednesday.
“Definitely led me to South Carolina & was a blessing in disguise that I got to play w/ the Gamecocks & develop there & get ready to go to the league after that.”
More from Spencer Rattler on getting benched for Caleb Williams in 2021 at Oklahoma.
Saints visit the Bears Sunday. pic.twitter.com/VXxlwpTdKb
— Jon Sokoloff (@JonSokoloff) October 16, 2025
Diverging Paths Collide
Following the Red River Showdown of 2021, the two quarterbacks would go on different paths. Interestingly, though they started in the same place as No. 1 recruits landing with Oklahoma. On Sunday, they’ll wind up in the same place, as competing quarterbacks in Chicago.
But everything in between generates both intrigue and the potential for high stakes.
Williams would go on to win the 2022 Heisman Trophy and become the No. 1 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft class, the same class as Rattler. The Saints’ passer would go on to South Carolina, compete in the SEC and continue to develop on his way to being selected in the fifth round of the same selection process.
Now, both second-year NFL passers will square off in Week 7.
Rattler Vs. 2024 Draft QBs
It’s not like Rattler plays defense and is in position to stop opposing passers. However, the quarterback has matched up already with much of the 2024 quarterback class.
Last season, the Saints hosted Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos as well as Washington Commanders passer Jayden Daniels. Both games were losses, but Rattler’s second-half heroics against the Commanders that included a dropped pass on a potential game-winning two-point conversion was a showing of promise that likely played a big role in his position to claim the starting role in 2025.
This year, New Orleans and Rattler are fresh off of a loss to Drake Maye and the New England Patriots as they now travel to face Williams. The team is also set to face Atlanta Falcons signal caller Michael Penix Jr. twice this season.
Rattler will seek his first win against a fellow quarterback draft mate this week. It would be all the sweeter to land such a win against Williams in particular. While no player is likely to suggest that any one game is more important than the other, no one would blame the Saints signal caller for smiling a little brighter on Sunday if he captures the second win of his career against the player that played a significant role in altering it.
