He was given a chance to start as a rookie, doing so for three games Weeks 6-8 while starting quarterback Derek Carr was out with injury.
During that time the South Carolina product posted a 59.6% completion rate including one touchdown pass and two interceptions. The team unfortunately went 0-3 in his starts, but those results included a patchwork interior offensive line and several key players being out such as do-it-all tight end Taysom Hill and wide receiver Chris Olave.
While the three starts didn’t go as planned for Rattler or the Saints, he found the experience invaluable and looks forward to showing his improvement the next time he gets an opportunity.
Rattler took the time to speak exclusively with LouisianaSports.Net to detail his plans for the offseason, what he learned during his three starts and how he plans to be “a new guy” the next time fans see him on the field.
“I think I could have used my legs a lot more when I was in,” said Rattler. “That’s definitely something I’ll have to lean on in the future, just using your natural ability.”
Rattler ran nine times in his first two games, but none in his final start against the Los Angeles Chargers. He gained a total of 61 rushing yards including long runs of 28 against the Denver Broncos and 16 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The young signal caller explained that he wanted to go through his progressions and take what the defense was giving him but felt that he had more opportunities to create and extend plays.
“That’s what I do best,” he said.
The other major lesson was all about preparation.
“Obviously, we prepare at a high level here,” he said. “But when you go from third string to first string in a few days, the amount of stress you have to put on yourself… I’d say that’s the biggest thing. Trying to put that stress on myself each week, to prepare like a starter, understanding it’s hard to put your mindset in a starting role when you’re the third guy for now. So, (I’m) just trying to balance that out and find that fine line with just having fun man. Going out there, ripping it against the defense, and then improving where I need to.”
Since Carr returned to the lineup and Rattler has shifted back to being the third-string passer. His goal has been to maximize the reps he gets during practices while putting a specific focus on the weight room as well.
“Just getting stronger everywhere,” Rattler said when asked if there was a particular goal in the weight room. “Getting stronger, getting faster pretty much. I can’t circle one area, but the lower body, really focusing on that now.”
Rattler is also working hard during practices to take advantage of the reps he gets on the scout team and routes on air.
The estimation is that he sees about 18 reps per practice. He tries to make the biggest impact he can with those snaps, but the offseason will present a unique opportunity for him to get more work in. Without draft prep and a college season to recover from, he’ll have some time to rest. But he doesn’t plan to take too long before getting back to the grind.
“I’ll take a little break,” he said. “But I’m getting right back to work and coming back a new guy.”
His goal for that new guy is simple: “Just be a beast, be dominant.”
The rookie also opened up about being replaced during the second half of the game against the Chargers. He was clear that no confidence was lost after that experience. He also acknowledged that nothing has changed for him since then.
He feels the same belief from the coaching staff around him and had glowing remarks about the staff even following the team’s head coaching transition.
Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko haven’t changed his routine or shifted their expectations around him. It’s business as usual Rattler continues to work and improve.
“We’re ready to rock,” Rattler said. “That experience I got in those games was crucial. Great for me. And next opportunity I get, it’ll look a lot better.”
