By Ross Jackson
If New Orleans Saints fans are hoping for big plays throughout the 2025 season, young quarterbacks Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough are both showing off a proclivity for getting the ball downfield in a hurry.
During the first OTA practice that was open to the media, the team’s third of the offseason phase, Rattler found tight end Michael Jacobson for a big play. A well-placed throw with great anticipation and touch hit the tight end in stride, allowing him to gain yards after the catch.
Shough matched with a bomb to wide receiver Rashid Shaheed on a slant-and-go (or sluggo) route that included a great pump fake.
Both plays showed that the quarterbacks have an early eye for the big play, a trend that continued in front of the media a week later.
During last week’s OTAs, both quarterbacks showed off their explosive play abilities with Shough connecting on numerous downfield throws including a highlight-worthy play to wide receiver Bub Means.
Competition every day pic.twitter.com/QLAbrcABFr
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) May 29, 2025
Rattler responded with some impressive throws of his own, including a dime to tight end Juwan Johnson on a big catch and run.
The two quarterbacks look to have struck again this week with Rattler and wide receiver Chris Olave connecting and Shough uncorking another for Shaheed.
It is worth mentioning that all of these plays have happened in 7-on-7 drills. That means no pass rush. But the takeaway is that if the pass protection holds up and gives time to the quarterback, Rattler and Shough won’t hesitate to push downfield.
While these explosive plays are fun and exciting, it’ll take more than that to reclaim the offensive superiority of Saints teams’ past.
The Saints and Philadelphia Eagles, head coach Kellen Moore’s former offense, were separated in 2024 by only two 20+ yard plays (Saints: 47, Eagles: 49). But what the Eagles did prove was greater efficiency. The big plays are nice, but it will be about the consistency of the offense more than anything else. That’s where Moore can hope to get the most out of his big-armed talent.
A reliable run game, effective short-to-intermediate passing game and taking care of the football will all help to set up the deep ball. Therefore if the Saints want to adequately take advantage of what their young signal callers can do with the big plays, they’ll need to set things in a more meticulous manner. With Moore’s leadership and play-calling style, that shouldn’t be an issue.
