The 2025 season might become a quarterback evaluation year for the New Orleans Saints. After Derek Carr shockingly retired from the NFL in the offseason, the franchise was left with no real direction heading into the 2025 season.
As a result, the keys to the organization might fall to second-round pick Tyler Shough, unless they make the unexpected choice of going with Spencer Rattler.
It wasn’t unexpected last week, though, when he got the starting nod against the Los Angeles Chargers. With most of the rest of the starting unit out alongside him, he put in a solid performance, but it was Shough who garnered most of the headlines.
Going into Week 2 of the preseason, is the plan for head coach Kellen Moore to undergo a metamorphosis, or will he stick to his original strategy against the Jacksonville Jaguars?
Will the Saints Starters Play Against the Jaguars?
The Jaguars are trying to build a consistent playoff threat around Trevor Lawrence, Brian Thomas Jr., and rookie sensation Travis Hunter. This week, fans will get to see what the full might of their roster could look like against New Orleans.
To counterattack their strategy, Moore is enlisting a change to his plan from Week 1 as well. This time around, as they continue to field a quarterback battle on the roster, Shough will get the starting job for the Saints.
Last week, he was sensational after coming on to the field as the backup to Rattler. He totaled 165 yards on 15 completed passes out of 22 attempts. He also recorded a touchdown in a true highlight-worthy play.
On 3rd & 7, Rattler scrambles for 11 yds 🫡
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/h2awmPeEeP
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 10, 2025
But a pick-six interception severely hurt his case as the permanent starter. This week, the roles will likely be reversed, with Rattler on backup duty for the rookie quarterback. This game could go a long way in determining who is officially named QB1 in New Orleans.
RELATED: How Did Tyler Shough Play in Preseason Debut? A Look at Saints QBs’ Stats and Highlights vs. Chargers
So far, Shough has gotten a majority of the snaps with the first team in practices and training camp. But Moore has shied away from naming him the leader of the group.
This week, as he steps out with the starting unit, like Rattler did last week, the fan base might get a glimpse of what to expect throughout the 2025 season.
For the franchise as a whole, this year offers a unique chance to assess its current quarterback situation and potentially land in a win-win situation next year. Either it finds its superstar quarterback on the roster or gets a high enough draft pick to draft one.
