Former Gamecock Spencer Rattler earns starting QB job for New Orleans
Spencer Rattler will be the New Orleans Saints’ opening day starting quarterback.
Saints coach Kellen Moore made the announcement Tuesday that the former Gamecock will get the starting nod when they open the season against the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 7.
“Spencer Rattler is our starting quarterback,” Moore said. “Really, really excited for him. He has done an awesome job this offseason. He has been consistent and has made some really good decisions throughout the whole entire process. His ability to make plays with his arm and his feet have certainly shown up. He has earned this opportunity and is going to do a tremendous job for us.”
Rattler, who is in his second year in the NFL, beat out rookie Tyler Shough for the job. The two had been splitting starting duties in practice and in the preseason games.
Rattler was 30-of-43 passing for 295 yards and a touchdown in the preseason for the Saints.
“I feel confident in what I have done. … I tried to put my best foot forward,” Rattler said after Saturday’s preseason game against Denver. “I feel as a group we have done a lot of good things and are progressing in the right direction.”
Rattler appeared in seven games last season, making six starts for the Saints after starting quarterback David Carr got injured. He was the first former Gamecock to start at QB in an NFL game since Connor Shaw did it for the Cleveland Browns in 2014.
Rattler threw for 1,317 passing yards on 130-of-228 passing with four touchdowns and also ran for 146 yards.
Rattler said that experience helped him get ready for his second season for the Saints.
“Getting to play last year and go against good defenses during the preseason and getting a joint practice under my belt,” Rattler said. “With a new system, it would be exciting to play ball, play free and put a good game plan together.”
The Arizona native was selected with the 150th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Saints. Rattler was the first Gamecock quarterback to be selected in the NFL Draft since Todd Ellis, USC’s career passing leader, in 1990. Ellis was the 247th pick in the ninth round and was taken by the Denver Broncos, coached by fellow South Carolina alum Dan Reeves.
Rattler transferred to USC after starting his career at Oklahoma. He threw for more than 3,000 yards in each of his two seasons with the Gamecocks and 37 touchdowns.
This story was originally published August 26, 2025 at 2:53 PM.
