JACKSON: Saints should ride with Rattler

By Ross Jackson

On Tuesday afternoon it was announced that the Atlanta Falcons will be benching starting quarterback Kirk Cousins in order to start rookie passer Michael Penix Jr. for the rest of the season. Now, the New Orleans Saints have a chance to make a similar move.

And they should.

While Cousins was benched for inadequate play, the Saints have a cleaner path to giving their rookie the remaining opportunities for the year. Carr has been managing and pursuing a comeback from his recent left hand injury which he suffered on a diving attempt for a first down against the New York Giants in Week 14.

The Saints have publicly and repeatedly said that he is “week-to-week” or even “day-to-day”, but insider reports are saying otherwise; Carr is more likely done for the season.

Both things can be true. 

It can be likely that the veteran signal caller is going to miss the remainder of the year with only three games to go. Simultaneously, he could be working feverishly to make a return and beat that expectation.

But New Orleans should be focused on its future. That future could potentially lie in the hands of Rattler.

The rookie impressed with his play last Sunday, coming in at halftime in the team’s loss to the Washington Commanders. Even though the game’s final result was less than desirable, climbing back from a 17-0 deficit to end in a 20-19 loss showed admirable fight. 

Add the context that the rookie was a one two-point conversion catch away from an improbable win, and things look even better for the potential of Rattler.

But for now, that’s all the Saints really have to go on. Potential. And while potential is great, giving the rookie a chance to turn potential into proof is of value. Especially while there is so much uncertainty are Carr’s health and availability.

In Rattler’s first three starts, the interior of the Saints offensive line was decimated. It’s now healthy with all five starters having taken every snap of the last two games. His three starts came against defenses that were incredibly bad matchups for a banged-up line.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a top-15 pressure rate team and blitz at the fifth-highest rate in the NFL. Not the greatest time to be without a starting center. The Denver Broncos have generated the second-highest pressure rate in the league this season and applied pressure on Rattler for nearly half of his snaps. Meanwhile the Saints faced the league’s No. 1 ranked scoring defense in the Los Angeles Chargers.

Not only were those matchups less than advantageous without solid pass protection and several key weapons, they were a nightmare. The team also averaged just 98.3 rushing yards in those three games which is well below the team’s current average of 124.4 rushing yards per game.

There is also the Darren Rizzi factor. The interim head coach just seems to get the best out of everyone each week. Rattler himself was an example of that. He was just two drops and two batted passes away from an even more impressive second half last week. Seeing what he could do with Rizzi’s aggressiveness and a full week of prep could be beneficial, even if the results aren’t perfect.

Up next, the Saints have the Green Bay Packers, who are one of the bottom-five pressure defenses in the league, the Las Vegas Raiders, one of 2024’s more directionless teams, and then Rattler would get a second crack at the Buccaneers. 

Each matchup presents its own challenges and advantages for the young passer and would give the Saints a chance to further their evaluation of him before the offseason. Now could be their chance while their starter manages injury.

So, while Carr tries to work his way back, New Orleans should set its sights on Rattler the rest of the way.