Kellen Moore impressed by Spencer Rattler’s ‘high level’ play

By Ross Jackson

METAIRIE, La. – Following the New Orleans Saints’ loss to the New England Patriots, their fifth loss of the season, it was easy to pick out the team’s shortcomings. But on the short list of positives, again, exists quarterback Spencer Rattler. The second-year passer completed 20 of his 26 passing attempts for 227 yards and still has just one interception through six games as the starter under head coach Kellen Moore.

On Monday, Moore praised Rattler not just for the big plays that are starting to become more consistent in the Saints’ offense, but for his overall game and development. 

“I thought Spence did some really good stuff,” Moore said in his day-after presser Monday. “I thought he was steady. He made really good decisions. I thought he operated at a really high level and he certainly gave us a chance. At the end of the day, collectively, we weren’t able to create enough plays to win the game. I thought he did some good stuff.”

Beyond his efficient passing, setting a career high in yards per attempt at 8.7, Rattler appears to have made some strides over the last few games.

Weeks 1-4

Yards Per Attempt: 5.2 (T-No. 30)

Net Yards Per Attempt: 4.8 (T-No. 30)

Air Yards Per Pass Attempt: 7.1 (T-No. 23)

Weeks 5 & 6

Yards Per Attempt: 7.9 (T-No. 10)

Net Yards Per Attempt: 7.2 (T-No. 8)

Air Yards Per Pass Attempt: 7.4 (T-No. 18)

Rattler and Moore have begun to walk to the stairs to the next level of their offense. A big part of which also relies on Rattler’s legs, which Moore also highlighted.

“I thought his pocket movement was phenomenal throughout the entire game,” Moore said. “(The) first play was a great example of him subtly moving in the pocket, giving ourselves an opportunity to make that play. He had a really good scramble to Alvin on third and three, four, somewhere in that range.”

The opening play, a 53-yard completion from Rattler to top wide receiver Chris Olave, was a downfield shot the Saints came into Sunday’s game knowing they wanted to try to get. 

53 YARDS TO OLAVE ON THE FIRST PLAY

📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/8pu5txbQ3L

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 12, 2025

Rattler had to move around in the pocket a bit as the Patriots sent a corner blitz, their own wrinkle on the play, to provide pressure. The blitz and a win around right edge was a part of what Rattler called an “unscouted look” after the game. The passer stepped up and delivered the deep ball shot to Olave.

Ultimately, the Saints came up short on that drive, settling for a field goal, which was effectively the story of the game for the Saints’ offense. But as Rattler looks to extend his stay as the team’s starting quarterback, his head coach is clearly impressed with what he’s done thus far and the trajectory Rattler and the offense have available to them. 

The team has a lot that it can be doing better, any player or coach would tell you that. But at the point of it all, the quarterback and head coach are gelling.