Saints Bench Spencer Rattler for Rookie Tyler Shough in Loss to Buccaneers

By Bobby Kownack | October 26, 2025

The New Orleans Saints’ quarterback situation took a dramatic turn Sunday as head coach Kellen Moore benched starting quarterback Spencer Rattler in the third quarter of a 23-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The decision marked a significant shift for a team that has struggled to find consistency on offense through the first half of the season.

Rattler, who started all eight games for the Saints this year, endured one of his toughest outings as a professional. Before being pulled, he completed 15 of 21 passes for 136 yards but failed to generate any meaningful momentum. His stat line also included an interception and a lost fumble — turnovers that stalled drives and frustrated an already anemic offense.

Outside of a brief field-goal drive that began in Tampa Bay territory following a turnover, New Orleans failed to sustain any rhythm while Rattler was under center.

After a series of unproductive drives, including one that lost seven yards before ending in a punt, Moore turned to rookie Tyler Shough, the team’s second-round pick out of Texas Tech. Shough’s insertion was an effort to “create a spark,” Moore explained post game, though he stopped short of naming a starter for next week.

“We’ll navigate this thing over the next 48 hours,” Moore said. “Put ourselves in position to have a good week, get ready to roll. I’m not into flip-flopping quarterbacks and all that sort of stuff. This had just an element of lately not executing high enough football and not playing well on offense, and trying to create a spark.

I’m not into this back-and-forth game, but we do have to make some decisions here moving forward really as a whole offense collectively with a lot of positions.”

The Saints’ offensive woes have been mounting. Through eight games, they rank near the bottom of the league in scoring and total yards. Rattler’s play, while occasionally promising, has been inconsistent.

He has shown flashes of the arm talent that made him a standout in college, but turnovers and missed opportunities have plagued the offense. Sunday’s performance against Tampa Bay was the latest example of a unit unable to finish drives or capitalize on good field position.

For Shough, the opportunity represents his first real chance to prove himself at the NFL level. The rookie’s calm presence and quick release were praised during training camp, and his mobility could offer a new dimension to Moore’s offense. Still, thrusting a young quarterback into a struggling offense carries risk — particularly with a demanding fan base eager for results.

As the Saints prepare for Week 9, all eyes will be on Moore’s decision. Whether Rattler regains his starting job or Shough gets the nod, New Orleans must find a way to reignite an offense that has scored just 16 points in its last two games. One thing is certain: the quarterback question in New Orleans is far from settled.