JACKSON: Saints shouldn’t bench Spencer Rattler after Bears loss

By Ross Jackson

After beginning his career 1-12 as a starting NFL quarterback, New Orleans Saints signal caller Spencer Rattler will likely be under fire after his team’s loss to the Chicago Bears. The team now sits at 1-6 on the season, and Rattler’s four-turnover performance was undeniably the worst outing of his young career.

While many will call for him to be benched following the game, the second-year passer deserves a chance to rebound. 

Quarterbacks are going to have bad games. Rattler’s hit during the Week 7 game in Chicago. He threw three interceptions, had a fumble lost and was sacked four times while completing 62.5% of his passes, his second-lowest mark of the year. Despite that, he has earned a chance to hit the field in Week 8 with a shot at bouncing back against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Rattler Accepts His Part In Team’s Loss

Not all interceptions are bad plays, though on Sunday each one rested on Rattler’s decision-making and ball placement. He accepted accountability for each turnover after the game. 

“I got to get the ball out quicker to start the game,” Rattler said. “I got to protect the ball. I can’t fumble the ball on the second play of the game and give the ball away four times throughout the game. Definitely not what I expected to do, but you got to bounce back from that.”

He deserves a shot to do exactly that. The Buccaneers are the best team in the NFC South and often considered the best team in the conference. But the Bucs are also the team Rattler has his highest passing yard totals against from his two matches with them during his rookie year. 

Saints Putting Weight In Response

A team source told LouisianaSports.Net that head coach Kellen Moore has had a consistent message for the team throughout the season. “It’s all about how we respond,” has been the mantra. With that considered, Rattler is likely to be given a chance to respond. 

However, the runway for his bounce back may be short. 

Following the Chicago performance, another lackluster showing in Week 8 could inspire the team to consider a switch to Shough.

A Change Does Feel Inevitable

Moore responded to a question about the quarterbacks following the game. 

“I did not,” he said in response to whether or not he considered benching Rattler and turning to rookie passer Tyler Shough. 

The Saints are a rebuilding team trying to find their answer at professional sports’ most important and complex position. A team can’t do that without getting a look at all of its options. Especially when there could be a chance to add another option come the 2026 NFL Draft. 

For now though, Rattler’s rough performance against the Bears shouldn’t result in an immediate benching.