The New Orleans Saints’ offseason-long quarterback competition is officially over. Head coach Kellen Moore announced Tuesday that Spencer Rattler has won the starting job over rookie Tyler Shough. Moore emphasized that the decision is final, promising that whoever won the competition would not be looking over their shoulder. “They are going to be THE GUY,” Moore said. That makes Rattler the clear QB1 heading into the 2025 season.
On the surface, that should bring stability. But if recent NFL history tells us anything, the Saints’ situation bears an eerie resemblance to the Houston Texans of 2021 — a year that turned Davis Mills from a developmental project into an accidental starter.
Déjà Vu: The Davis Mills Parallels
In 2021, Houston entered the season with Tyrod Taylor as the starter while Deshaun Watson sat inactive amid off-field issues. Davis Mills, a third-round rookie out of Stanford, was never supposed to see the field early. But when Taylor got hurt, Mills was thrust into the lineup. Despite flashes of talent, his hesitancy in the pocket and inconsistent play limited the Texans’ long-term outlook.
The Saints could be walking into the same trap. If Rattler gets injured or falters, Tyler Shough — a 25-year-old rookie with tools but questionable pocket presence — could be forced into action. Like Mills, Shough has size, arm strength, and a few moments on tape that make evaluators curious. But also like Mills, he often looks fearful under pressure, which could sink drives and seasons in the NFL.
Oddly Enough: Brandin Cooks Again
The symmetry doesn’t stop there. The Texans of 2021 weren’t completely devoid of weapons — they had a promising young Nico Collins and a still-in-his-prime Brandin Cooks. Fast-forward to New Orleans in 2025, and Brandin Cooks is back in the picture. He’s no longer the field-stretching star of his prime, but he can still be a reliable short-yardage option for Rattler. The Saints’ receiving corps echoes that Texans roster: some talent, some experience, but no guarantee of production if the quarterback play falters.
Key Differences
There are, however, a few important differences between the two situations:
- Rattler Is Healthy (for now): Unlike Houston, where Mills was forced into action by Tyrod Taylor’s injury, New Orleans doesn’t plan on playing Shough early. Rattler has the reins and enters Week 1 without health concerns.
- Expectations of the Rookie: The Texans never intended to start Mills in Year 1. Similarly, the Saints aren’t planning to count on Shough immediately. But the perception around the league is that Shough will eventually replace Rattler — whether this season or next — especially if Rattler struggles.
- Draft Implications: Houston’s decision to stick with Mills after flashes in 2021 caused them to bypass QBs in the next draft. If Shough flashes in 2025, New Orleans could face the same temptation in what scouts consider a QB-rich 2026 draft. That might prove costly for the long-term health of the franchise.
Fool’s Gold or the Start of Something?
Here’s the reality: nobody is sold on either option. Rattler has a big arm and undeniable talent, but his inconsistency from last season into this preseason has fans and analysts skeptical. Shough, meanwhile, carries more questions than answers, from injuries to pocket presence.
This leaves New Orleans in a precarious spot. If Rattler plays well, maybe the Kellen Moore era blossoms into stability, playoff appearances, and even championships. If Shough develops into a capable backup or trade piece, that’s still a win for the organization. But if either one flashes just enough to convince the Saints to bypass a quarterback in the 2026 draft — only to reveal they’re not franchise-caliber players — the team risks falling into the same trap Houston did with Davis Mills: short-term hope that delays long-term progress.
Final Word
The Saints have their starter. Spencer Rattler is “the guy.” But the shadow of Tyler Shough lingers over this quarterback room. The parallels to Houston are too strong to ignore: a battle between a young, inconsistent starter and a mid-round rookie with potential but glaring flaws, both backed by a veteran Brandin Cooks.
For now, New Orleans fans can dream of Rattler’s arm talent translating into wins under Moore’s system. But they also have to brace themselves for the possibility that this entire situation is fool’s gold — and that the true franchise quarterback the Saints desperately need may still be a year and a draft away.
