Saints training camp opens with a QB battle. Spencer Rattler & Tyler Shough vie for the starting job after Derek Carr's retirement. Who will lead the team?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
A new era officially dawned in Metairie on Saturday as the New Orleans Saints opened training camp under new head coach Kellen Moore. The post-Derek Carr chapter has begun, and the central plot is already clear: a wide-open quarterback competition. As fans packed the practice facility, all eyes were on second-year passer Spencer Rattler and rookie Tyler Shough as they began their battle to lead a franchise in transition.
With Derek Carr's retirement in May, the Saints are seeking a new starter; none of the candidates have won an NFL game as a starter.
The quarterback void left by Derek Carr's retirement is the single biggest storyline for the 2025 Saints. On Saturday, Spencer Rattler and rookie Tyler Shough split the first-team reps, offering the first real glimpse of the competition. Both showed flashes of potential working within Moore's new system, but the pressure is immense. Third-year QB Jake Haener is also in the mix, though he is still recovering from an offseason injury. The reality is stark: the Saints are betting their season on a quarterback who has yet to prove he can win at the NFL level.
Beyond the quarterback drama, the youth movement is in full swing. The 2025 draft class is already turning heads, with several rookies making an immediate impression. First-round pick Kelvin Banks is already in a fierce competition for a starting tackle spot, while fellow rookies like DT Vernon Broughton and RB Devin Neal stood out in drills. The influx of talent, including S Jonas Sanker, LB Danny Stutsman, and DE Fadil Diggs, is injecting speed and competition across the roster, giving Coach Moore a host of new weapons to mold.
The team's social media captured the mood perfectly with a montage captioned, 'New era. New energy.' That energy was visible on the field, with veteran leaders like Alvin Kamara and Demario Davis actively mentoring the younger players. This blend of youthful enthusiasm and veteran leadership is crucial as the team navigates a significant transition. The leadership from the established core will be vital in stabilizing the team amidst the uncertainty at the sport's most important position.
While national analysts may label the Saints as underdogs, the NFC South appears to be completely up for grabs. With the Falcons, Buccaneers, and Panthers all facing their own challenges, the division crown is there for the taking. If Kellen Moore's offense can find its quarterback and a defense anchored by Demario Davis and Chase Young plays to its potential, the Saints could quickly transform from a rebuilding team into a surprise contender.
The energy in Metairie is palpable, but questions far outnumber answers. The coming weeks, leading up to the August 23 preseason clash with the Broncos, will be crucial. Every snap, every throw, and every rookie rep will be scrutinized as Kellen Moore shapes this team in his image. The battle for QB1 is on, and the future of the Saints' season hangs in the balance.
