Young Quarterback room vying for New Orleans Saints starting position

The question everyone’s asking when it comes to the New Orleans Saints is who’s going to be the leader and signal caller for the black and gold.

After Derek Carr announced his retirement in may, four young hopefuls are vying for the spot of the starting quarterback. Taking snaps during Saints Minicamp was Spencer Rattler, who has six starts under his belt, Tyler Shough, who was drafted 40th overall back in April, Jake Haener, who started one game last year, and Hunter Dekkers who was added after this year’s Rookie Minicamp.

After day two of minicamps, the front runners seemed obvious, with the topic of discussion being Rattler and Shough.

“I’d say right now there’s a lot of similarities,” said Saints Head Coach Kellen Moore. “Both guys have experience from their past of playing in the RPO game in college. Most of these guys have. Jake has as well, so you feel like these guys have all been used to it. There’s a few tweaks just because some NFL rules are a little bit tighter with the lineman down field, so you have to mess around with it a little bit from that standpoint, but these guys are executing it great.

  Equally as important as Head Coach Kellen Moore’s thoughts, offensive leaders Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave believe in their futures as well.

“They’re great,” said wide receiver Chris Olave. “The young QB’s are good. I don’t think they’ll come in and have hiccups. I feel like they have good heads on their shoulders, they’ve got good IQ and they’re ready to play NFL ball. I’m excited for whoever gets that starting job. They’re both really good. I’m excited for whoever gets that, and we’ll be ready for that.”

“It’s different. Like I said two days isn’t really enough time to tell. Just getting out there, I know they’ve been working,” said running back Alvin Kamara. “We’ve been with Spencer, and Tyler, they are doing what they need to do. They’re working and they’re learning and they’re receptive. They’re just trying to get it in, so we’ll see.” 

As for Spencer Rattler, he already feels like a starting quarterback.

“You know, I feel like a starting quarterback,” said quarterback Spencer Rattler. “I’ve got experience in this league. Obviously nothing is promised. I just want to come in here everyday, act like a starter, prepare like a starter and look like a starter out there.”

The competition will continue in late July as the New Orleans Saints start training camp in Metairie, then head back to Irvine in August.