Saints training camp heats up in July 2025 as rookie Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler battle to replace Derek Carr. Who will emerge as the new QB1?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The dog days of summer are here, but in Metairie, the heat isn't just coming from the Louisiana sun. It's radiating from a quarterback competition that will define the New Orleans Saints' 2025 season. With Derek Carr's cleats now hung up, the starting job is a two-man race between rookie second-rounder Tyler Shough and incumbent Spencer Rattler, and every single rep under the watchful eye of Coach Dennis Allen feels like it could tip the scales.
We're going to have one of the best O-lines for sure, if not the best in the league.
The Saints' coaching staff is playing its cards close to the vest, splitting first-team reps evenly between the young gunslingers. Shough, the rookie out of Louisville, brings fresh energy and a big arm, while Rattler offers a year of experience in the system. The competition is fierce, but veteran wideout Brandin Cooks notes the professionalism of both players. 'They're going out there controlling what they can control, not worrying about everything else,' Cooks said Thursday. This maturity is crucial as the team looks for a new leader to steer the ship in the post-Carr era.
While the quarterbacks grab the headlines, the foundation of any offensive success is being built up front. Running back Kendre Miller, who is sporting a new number (5) to symbolize a fresh start from past injuries, couldn't hide his excitement about the revamped offensive line. He boldly predicted the unit could be the league's best, thanks in large part to the new bookend tackles. First-round pick Kelvin Banks Jr. is reportedly acclimating quickly at left tackle, while last year's top pick, Taliese Fuaga, looks comfortable settling in on the right side. This newfound optimism in the trenches could be the key to unlocking the entire offense, regardless of who is under center.
The optimism isn't just limited to the offensive side. The Saints' 2025 draft class is making its presence felt across the board. Beyond the high-profile roles of Banks and Shough, fellow rookies like DT Vernon Broughton, S Jonas Sanker, and LB Danny Stutsman are all pushing for playing time. After a disappointing 5-12 finish last season, this injection of young talent is exactly what the franchise needed. While preseason projections have the Saints atop a weak NFC South, it's the development of these young players that will determine if that optimism translates into actual wins.
With no major roster moves on the horizon, the focus remains squarely on development and evaluation. The coming weeks, and the first preseason game, will be critical in providing clarity, especially in the quarterback race. The pieces are in place for a potential turnaround, but as camp continues, the question remains: Can this young core, led by a new signal-caller, truly seize control of a wide-open division and usher in a new, successful era of Saints football?
